Substitute Jon Stead nets twice to give Ipswich Town victory over Queens Park Rangers

Ipswich Town striker Jon Stead's instant impact as substitute gave them a victory over Queens Park Rangers that their supporters hope will ignite their season.

For 68 minutes the visitors looked likelier to win. Enter trusty Stead. He showed tenacity to sit up and nod the ball home after his shot had been saved, while his header from a corner for his second was magnificent. He also could have had a hat-trick in injury-time but his free-kick struck the post.

"I was disappointed with the way I played on Tuesday, so there were no complaints when I wasn't in the starting line-up, but obviously I'm delighted I've come on, played well and scored," said Stead, who has a bit of the Peter Crouch about him, both as a player and in his pleasant manner.

"I'm happy I'm back in the form I feel I've been missing. I had a bit of luck for the first goal, and for the second I've not headed like that for a long time." Defeat was the last thing Gareth Ainsworth needed, as he looks to convince Flavio Briatore he should be appointed manager full-time. QPR have not scored an away goal for 508 minutes – hardly the form of a side with Premier League aspirations.

Huw Turbervill (Daily Telegraph)