Wolves miss out on reclaiming top spot after defeat by QPR

Soccer Football - Championship - Queens Park Rangers vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Loftus Road, London, Britain - October 28, 2017 QPR's Matt Smith celebrates scoring their second goal with Luke Freeman and Conor Washington Action Images/Alan Walter

LONDON (Reuters) - Wolverhampton Wanderers missed the chance to regain top spot in the Championship as they went down 2-1 at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

After Sheffield United's 2-1 victory over Leeds United on Friday put them in first place in England's second tier, the spotlight switched to Loftus Road to see if Wolves could respond with a fourth successive league win.

It was not to be, though, as substitute Matt Smith headed QPR's winner in the 81st minute.

Soccer Football - Championship - Queens Park Rangers vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Loftus Road, London, Britain - October 28, 2017 Wolverhampton manager Nuno Espirito Action Images/Alan Walter EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Conor Washington put the home side in front after 41 minutes before Brazilian forward Leo Bonatini equalised before the break.

Sheffield United lead the table with 30 points from 14 games, one ahead of Wolves.

Cardiff City remained in third place with 28 points after a 0-0 draw at home to Millwall.

Soccer Football - Championship - Queens Park Rangers vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Loftus Road, London, Britain - October 28, 2017 QPR's Matt Smith celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Alan Walter

Sunderland's woeful start to the season following their relegation from the Premier League continued as they lost 2-1 at home to Bristol City, who rose above Leeds into fourth spot.

Bottom club Bolton Wanderers managed only their seventh point of the season with a 1-1 draw at Fulham, Tom Cairney grabbing Bolton's equaliser in stoppage time.

Soccer Football - Championship - Queens Park Rangers vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Loftus Road, London, Britain - October 28, 2017 QPR manager Ian Holloway Action Images/Alan Walter

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - Championship - Queens Park Rangers vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Loftus Road, London, Britain - October 28, 2017 QPR's Luke Freeman in action with Wolves' Roderick Miranda Action Images/Alan Walter

Soccer Football - Championship - Queens Park Rangers vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Loftus Road, London, Britain - October 28, 2017 Wolves' Leo Bonatini celebrates scoring their first goal with Diogo Jota Action Images/Alan Walter

Soccer Football - Championship - Queens Park Rangers vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Loftus Road, London, Britain - October 28, 2017 QPR's Conor Washington celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images/Alan Walter

Soccer Football - Championship - Queens Park Rangers vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Loftus Road, London, Britain - October 28, 2017 Wolves' Leo Bonatini in action with QPR's Luke Freeman Action Images/Alan Walter