Charlie Austin’s first QPR league goal will be the first of many according to first-team coach Joe Jordan.

The former Burnley striker, who signed for the Rs in the summer for £5 million, had gone 381 minutes without a goal for his new club in the league but was in the right place at the right time to head home the winner after Birmingham had failed to deal with Joey Barton’s free-kick.

“Charlie will score goals,” said Jordan.  “His tally will be OK at the end of the season. He’ll be hitting the net.

“I think he’s been a bit unfortunate since he joined us. I think it will give him a bit of relief and a bit of comfort getting a goal. And he played well — he was more involved in the second half than the first.

“In the games he’s played he’s had chances. He’s just been unfortunate that his tally has not been more.”

This was QPR’s fourth consecutive 1-0 league win as they continued their solid yet unspectacular start to the campaign.

Birmingham, who are in the midst of their worst start to a league season for 25 years, were unfortunate to leave Loftus Road empty handed.

Austin’s header was QPR’s first shot on target in the game as their tenacious visitors created all the chances in the opening period.

They were unlucky not to open the scoring on 23 minutes when Lee Novak flicked a set-piece onto the post before Andrew Shinnie wasted a glorious chance from six yards minutes later after some great work by Novak.