Yossi Benayoun scored the winning goal in QPR's 1-0 victory against Wigan on Tuesday night to boost the promotion prospects of Harry Redknapp's Championship team.

After firing home the early winner, he went from hero to villain as he was sent-off in injury time for a foul, but the Israel was philosophical about what he saw as an unjustified dismissal.

Benayoun said: "It's a shame that I got sent off for the first time in my career for two yellow cards for a foul when I didn't even touch the player, but that's football.

"I'm really happy to be playing again and it's always great to score, especially when it's the winning goal.

"I always work hard and believe in my abilities and try to take advantage of opportunities when they're given to me."

Tuesday night's goal came in the 16th minute after Benayoun swept home from close range after an excellent team move. It came hard on the heels of his first goal for QPR last weekend, when he hit the equaliser on the stroke of half-time in the 3-1 win at Middlesboro. This was the Israeli's first goal since scoring in Arsenal's 3-2 win at WBA on the last day of the 2011/12 season to clinch a Champions League place for the Gunners.