OLDHAM Athletic bowed out of the FA Youth Cup after a third round defeat away to Queens Park Rangers.
Latics held their own in a goalless first half, resisting chances as well as carving some out of their own. But QPR came on strong after the break to capitalise on home advantage and progress in the competition.
The hosts might even have been ahead in the 36th minute but for Luke Southerington's smart save denying Steven Bala.
Latics had gone close themselves moments earlier with the returning Joe Edwards almost scoring direct from a corner.
But QPR had enjoyed the most chances in the first half and picked up where they had left off in the second, breaking the deadlock courtesy of Harry Murphy's 20-yard strike.
Micah Hyde's youngsters doubled their lead in the 70th minute when winger Adam Dougui was sent through on goal and sent a fierce shot across Southerington and into the top left corner.
To their credit, Latics refused to let their heads drop and pulled a goal back through the impressive Jim Simms.
Isaac Modi showed great vision to cut in from the right to cross for Simms, who guided a header over the head of goalkeeper Harry Cant.
Simms had scored a hat-trick in the previous round against Bradford City, but could not add to his tally in the capital, while in stoppage time Cant pushed captain Trey Turner's shot onto the post before going on to deny substitute Collins Kagame.
QPR: Cant, Anthony, Harrack, Hawkins, Bagan, Cotter, Hamid, Murphy (Obeng 91), Bala, Dougui, Danso (Kolli 53).
Unused Subs: Salamon (GK), Luzinda, Brown, Sackey, Sacopon.
Goals: Murphy 55, Dougui 70
LATICS: Southerington, Okeke (Kagame 88), Badby, Kilner, Cookson, Turner, Atkinson, Modi, Moore, Edwards, Simms.
Unused Subs: Cook (GK), Vaughan, Forshaw, Chapman, Doro, Spencer.
Goals: Simms 74’
Referee – Mr D Simpson
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