Latvia-eligible defender Denniss Cirkins made his first start for Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship as QPR claimed a 2-1 away victory over Blackburn Rovers on Matchday 3.
The 24-year-old left-back joined QPR this summer as a free agent from Sunderland and made his debut last week from the bench. This time, he was included in the starting line-up for the first time.
Still working his way back to full fitness, Cirkins played the entire first half before being substituted at the break with the score still 0-0.
Blackburn opened the scoring shortly after the restart, but QPR responded quickly and then found the winner in the 74th minute through Irish international Jimmy Dunne, whose goal secured all three points for the London club.
QPR have started the Championship season strongly, collecting seven points from their first three league matches. They currently sit fourth in the table and will return to action on Wednesday, when they host Cardiff City.
Two divisions below, Latvian U-21 international Dannī Aņisjko made his second League Two appearance for Chesterfield in a 1-2 away defeat against Rotherham United.
The former Nottingham Forest academy player came on in the 82nd minute with Chesterfield trailing 0-1. The visitors equalised from the penalty spot in the 88th minute, but Rotherham struck back almost immediately, with Paul Mullin scoring the winning goal two minutes later.
Aņisjko has now made three appearances for Chesterfield in all competitions this season, all from the bench. His side have collected three points from their opening three league matches and will return to action on Tuesday, when they host Gillingham.
