Steve Bruce admits relief at Hull City's late 2-1 win over QPR

Steve Bruce was relieved to see Hull City grab a late 2-1 win but admitted it was a struggle against QPR's resolute 10 men.

Charlie Austin had levelled for the visitors after Nikica Jelavic’s cheeky volley in the 15th minute before January signing Dame N’Doye sealed the points a minute from time.

And though the Tigers played for almost an hour against 10 men following Joey Barton's dismissal, Bruce was relieved to come away with all three points.

Bruce said: "I know how Chris Ramsey and Kevin Gallen feel.

"QPR should be remarkably proud of their team, they defended for large periods of time and it didn’t look like we had enough craft to make that chance.

"Robert Green will be disappointed after he pulled off that wonder save from N’Doye’s header. But our striker had that bit of class, which is what you need in this league.

"He - N'Doye - has had a wonderful start, let’s hope it continues. And Jelavic looks nearer his best so we’ve got a nice little strike partnership.

"It’s that’s bit of craft and that striker that can score a goal."

Sitting not far from the QPR bench, Bruce said he was unable to see the incident - a push on Tom Huddlestone - that saw Barton sent off.

"I haven’t seen the incident, but everyone told me me it was the right decision," Bruce added.

"I’m sure he’ll be disappointed he let his manager and his team-mates down. I told Chris his team were magnificent to a man."