A tap in from Yeni Ngbakoto was enough for QPR to see off ten man Northampton Town in the EFL Cup first round.

Ngbakoto was on hand to slot home after David Cornell had saved for the Cobblers, before Leon Barnett was sent off for two yellow cards.

Before falling behind Justin Edinburgh’s men thought they had taken the lead when Matt Ingram dropped the ball into the net after Alex Revell’s head, but the goal was ruled out for a foul.

Debutant Leon Lobjoit had a header cleared off the line in one of very few second half chances as Northampton looked to find a way to get level.

Ariel Borysiuk could have put the tie beyond doubt with a long range effort which struck the crossbar, but the hosts were forced to settle for one.

The result means the Cobblers are out of the League Cup at the first hurdle and have now lost both of their opening games of the season by a single goal.

Ngbakoto’s goal secures QPR’s place in the hat for Thursday’s second round draw which sees the majority of Premier League teams enter the competition, as well as the final two Championship sides.