REPORT – Wales Online<\/p>\n
David Cotterill missed a first-half penalty as Swansea failed to end leaders QPR\u2019s unbeaten start to their npower Championship campaign.<\/p>\n
The midfielder got his opportunity just before half-time, but saw his spot-kick saved by Paddy Kenny as the teams shared the spoils in a dull encounter.<\/p>\n
Just three places separated the sides going into the clash and it showed as both enjoyed their share of possession, while failing to get an all-important breakthrough.<\/p>\n
The Swans, clearly brimming with confidence having lost just once in their last six, showed plenty of endeavour in the opening stages as their free-flowing approach caused the visitors problems.<\/p>\n
But it was QPR who manufactured the first opening as Hogan Ephraim\u2019s clever ball found Jamie Mackie, who fired into the side netting.<\/p>\n
That proved the catalyst for a wave of possession for Neil Warnock\u2019s men, with Heidar Helguson looking particularly threatening.<\/p>\n
The former Fulham striker nearly put the leaders ahead midway through the first period, but Dorus De Vries was on hand to parry his fizzing effort away.<\/p>\n
Alejandro Faurlin, back in the starting line-up for the first time since returning from a hamstring injury, was also enjoying some fruitful moments, although his final ball often left a lot to be desired.<\/p>\n
Brendan Rodgers\u2019 side reminded the visitors of their quality in the 31st minute, though, as Stephen Dobbie forced a smart save from Kenny.<\/p>\n
They should have taken the lead moments later but, after Mackie was harshly adjudged to have brought down Darren Pratley, Cotterill missed from the spot.<\/p>\n
The hosts were nearly made to pay for their miss two minutes later, but Shaun Derry\u2019s goalbound 25-yard volley was blocked by Garry Monk.<\/p>\n
The referee\u2019s poor display was continuing to infuriate the fans, although Swansea were lucky not to be down to 10 men when Alan Tate, who was already on a yellow card, elbowed Adel Taarabt.<\/p>\n
Clearly rattled by the hosts\u2019 riposte before the break, QPR came out strongly after the interval with Mackie forcing an excellent save from De Vries.<\/p>\n
Taarabt was starting to have an increasing influence on the game, causing the hosts all sorts of problems with his direct approach.<\/p>\n
But Mackie was continuing to look the likeliest to open the scoring as he was again thwarted by De Vries after springing the offside trap.<\/p>\n
The Swans continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack, though, as Scott Sinclair fired just wide after good work from Pratley.<\/p>\n
Pratley came agonisingly close to putting his side ahead in the 75th minute, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Ephraim.<\/p>\n
Taarabt then picked up a yellow card for a cynical challenge on Joe Allen, prompting Warnock to withdraw his talismanic midfielder.<\/p>\n
But the change did not make any difference as the game petered out into a draw.<\/p>\n