LONDON (AFP) - QPR narrowly avoided their fourth English Premier League defeat of the season as a fine late equaliser from Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar rescued a 2-2 draw against Stoke on Saturday.

Harry Redknapp's side have endured a difficult start on their return to the top-flight and they were in danger of another dispiriting loss after twice falling behind at Loftus Road.

Mame Biram Diouf opened the scoring for the visitors and, following Steven Caulker's equaliser, it was Peter Crouch who restored Stoke's lead against his former club.

But with just two minutes remaining, QPR's late pressure was rewarded when former Tottenham midfielder Kranjcar scored his first goal since January via a curling free kick.

Kranjcar's equaliser left both QPR and Stoke with just one win each from their first five matches this season.