Luton Town substitute Adrian Forbes was sent off after 31 minutes for an elbowing incident as his side's play off hopes all but ended with a 0-0 draw against Tranmere.
The result was great news for Queens Park Rangers who Tranmere and Luton were both attempting to catch in the chase for the last top six spot.
Forbes was only on the pitch for sixteen minutes as a replacement for Tony Thorpe who limped out of the action with an ankle injury.
Former Norwich winger Forbes was also only making his second appearance of the season after returning from a summer cruciate knee ligament injury.
But Forbes now faces a three-match ban after an off the ball clash with Tranmere captain Graham Allen.
The red card seemed to spur on a spirited Luton who were then the better team and could have taken maximum points but for two late saves from Rovers' reserve keeper Russell Howarth.
The Tranmere stopper had earlier saved Russell Perrett's shot at his near post five minutes before the break.
Ahmet Brkovic was unfortunate not to win a penalty when he appeared to be shoved over by Howarth on 55 minutes.
Luton loan signing Sammy Igoe then headed over from five yards before substitute Paul Hughes burst into the box only to lose his footing and see Howarth grab the ball of his toes.
Howarth then pushed Sol Davis' shot from an acute angle around his post and his outstretched arm denied Matthew Spring on 89 minutes.
Tranmere failed to make their numerical advantage count with their second half attempts restricted to off target long range efforts from Gareth Roberts, Iain Hume and Simon Haworth.
Luton boss Joe Kinnear said afterwards: " It looks like our play off chances are over now. We are probably hoping for a miracle but, while there is a squeak of a chance, we've got to try and win our last six matches."