QPR Under-18's put the disappointment of a miserable March behind them, as they returned to winning ways with a 3-2 victory against second placed Leyton Orient at Harlington on Saturday.

In the absence of Steve Brown, Keith Ryan stepped in to manage the league leaders against their closest rivals, knowing that nothing less than a victory would suffice if the young R's were to stay on track for the coveted title.

Ryan chose to go with a 4-4-2 formation, with two Under-16's, Antonio German and Danny Fernandez, leading the line.

Danny Maguire continued his return to fitness after a long term injury in the centre of midfield and Lee Brown switched to centre half to accommodate Femi Kesanmi at left back.

In a closely contested first half it was Rangers who were quicker out of the blocks and Aaron Morgan-Cummings had three early chances to open the scoring, but was twice denied by the visiting keeper and failed to hit the target with another effort.

Orient rarely troubled Nicki Bulmer in the home goal, as the scoreline remained goalless at the interval.

Rangers started brightly in the second period and they were rewarded in the 55th minute, when an exquisite through ball from Maguire found German and the striker wasted no time in drilling the ball home for his twelfth goal of the season.

The visitors responded immediately though, restoring parity when the unfortunate Josh Ford headed into his own net.

Maguire was replaced on the hour by Terry Smith and just five minutes later Rangers edged ahead again.

A break down the right ended with Fernandez collecting the ball on the edge of the O's penalty area. With his back to goal, he swivelled to find himself a yard of space before firing home a low drive.

The O's weren't about to lie down and accept defeat though and they responded with another equaliser.

Brown was adjudged to have handled the ball on the goal-line following a scramble in the R's box and after the Rangers defender was dismissed from the field of play, Orient duly despatched the spot kick to make it 2-2.

With a draw looking increasingly likely, ten-man Rangers stepped up a gear and following the award of a second spot-kick, this time at the other end, Billy Coyne stepped up to notch his third penalty of the season.

A delighted Ryan told www.qpr.co.uk: "They've had a tough time over the past couple of weeks and been a bit down with the results, but they stood up to be counted against a very good Leyton Orient side.

"Even after being pulled back twice and having to play with ten men for the last 20 minutes they showed a tremendous desire to want to win the game.

"That has been missing recently and I'm glad they've showed that type of spirit - it's got us back on track for the end of season run in."

The victory now means the young R's need just three points from their remaining three fixtures to retain their Puma Youth Alliance League title.