Second-half goals from Niko Kranjcar, Gary O’Neil and Armand Traore saw QPR to a 3-1 victory at Portman Road, Tommy Smith volleying a spectacular injury time consolation for the Blues. Town had been the better side before the break with visitors’ keeper Rob Green making an important stop to deny skipper Luke Chambers.

Mick McCarthy returned to his 4-3-3 formation with Paul Anderson starting on the left of the three-man attack alongside David McGoldrick and Paul Taylor, although with the trip regularly switching around throughout the half.

Yossi Benayoun headed an early Tom Carroll cross well wide for the visitors, but it was the Blues who enjoyed most of the possession in a cagey and uneventful opening.

Chances were rare in the opening quarter of an hour but with Rangers getting on top and forcing two corners, although Joey Barton was unable to create any threat from either. From the second, McGoldrick broke for the Blues but was unable to find Anderson on the left of the area.

On 17 the Town top scorer shot over from 25 yards as the momentum swung back towards the Blues, whose support was boosted by 120 Fortuna Dusseldorf fans in the lower tier of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

A minute later, Taylor saw a shot blocked after good work from Luke Hyam on the left, then in the 22nd minute Aaron Cresswell’s effort was blocked after Anderson had twice crossed from the right. Soon after Hyam was booked for a foul on Barton.

Town repeatedly went close to going in front in the 25th minute in a goalmouth scramble from which QPR were fortunate to escape. Chambers exchanged passes with Anderson, who stabbed the ball back into his path inside the area on the right.

The Blues right-back’s shot was superbly saved by Rob Green and Hyam was just prevented from touching home the rebound by one-time Town loanee Danny Simpson's challenge. Chambers cut the loose ball back across the box and it was half-cleared by Barton.

But Rangers were unable to get the ball completely away from goal and Hyam ran in from the left and found Chambers, who turned his shot over from eight yards. The Blues were somewhat unfortunate not to be in front.

After Anderson had failed to make the most of a break down the right when Clint Hill was caught in possession, Gary O’Neil sent a dangerous ball across the Blues’ six-yard box, Ryan Tunnicliffe diverting it behind at the back post.

But overall Town were still on top with McGoldrick hitting a 31st minute shot which was deflected wide.

Town keeper Dean Gerken was forced into serious action for the first time in the 34th minute when O’Neil chipped a cross in from the right. One-time Town target Charlie Austin headed goalwards but Gerken tipped over.

Almost immediately the action moved to the other end, Taylor breaking away on the right at pace but his shot was blocked. McGoldrick subsequently volleyed the dropping ball not far wide from 25 yards.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 37th minute when, after a mix-up between Smith and Skuse, Austin found himself through on goal. However, Berra got back to make a superb saving challenge.

The game had developed into an exciting end to end affair and the visitors threatened again a minute later when Chambers cleared ahead of Austin after a freekick had fallen to the striker off Skuse. Moments later, Barton was replaced by Karl Henry having suffered what looked like a groin injury.

A minute before the end of normal time, Anderson hit a powerful 25-yard strike which Green couldn’t hold onto but reclaimed ahead of McGoldrick. Second later, Skuse played in Taylor, the striker losing his footing as he looked to take the ball past Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

A thoroughly entertaining half came to an end with the stalemate yet to be broken. After a very quiet opening, the Blues had gradually take control and had most of the better chances, although with the visitors also having threatened.

Taylor struck a low shot which Green claimed soon after the restart with Blues continuing where they had left off before the break in the early stages.

But it was the visitors who went ahead in the 52nd minute. Niko Kranjcar brought the ball in from the left across the edge of the area before hitting a low shot which Gerken appeared to get a hand to but was unable to prevent from crossing the line.

On 58 QPR skipper Hill got his name in referee Phil Dowd’s book for wasting time at a freekick after Assou-Ekotto had fouled Taylor.

Rangers increased their lead in the 66th minute. Austin hit a low 25-yard shot which Gerken saved down to his left but palmed back into the path of the on-rushing O’Neil, who followed up to tap home. The Town keeper, so impressive in recent matches, will be disappointed not to have pushed his save away from the danger zone.

The Blues had been less of a threat having gone behind but hadn’t been put under particular pressure by the West Londoners prior to their second goal.

Manager McCarthy switched Hyam and Anderson for Stephen Hunt and Frank Nouble for the final 18 minutes. Soon after, Taylor scraped a shot wide.

QPR’s victory was sealed in the 74th minute when Tommy Smith miscontrolled Hill’s ball over the top allowing sub Armand Traore to nip in behind him and slip the ball past Gerken to make it 3-0.

Taylor twisted and turned before shooting over in the 79th minute then, following good work from McGoldrick, Skuse hit a low effort which looked goalbound until striking Hunt.

Mings took over from Chambers for the final four minutes, hitting a low shot which was blocked moments after coming on. As the game moved into its final scheduled minute, Austin shot low to Gerken, who claimed.

The Blues pulled a goal back soon after the fourth official had raised his board. Sub Hunt whipped over a corner from the left and Smith spectacularly volleyed home his third goal of the season.

Town continued to push for an unlikely comeback, Hunt scuffing well wide, but referee Dowd’s whistle signalled the end of the Blues’ nine-game unbeaten run.

The home side had been the better team before the break but once QPR had got in front there was only going to be one winner.

Keeper Gerken will be disappointed not to have pushed Austin’s shot away from goal rather than into O’Neil’s path for QPR’s second and may think he might have got more on Kranjcar’s opener, although the Croatian international should have been closed down before hitting his strike, while Smith will hold his hand up for the error on Rangers’ third. His superbly taken late goal is likely to be scant consolation.

The travelling Fortuna fans continued to sing in the Sir Bobby Robson Stand long after the final whistle.

The result sees the Blues drop out of the play-off zone and into ninth ahead of Tuesday's FA Cup replay at Preston and next Saturday's visit to fourth-bottom Millwall.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (Mings 86), Smith, Berra, Cresswell, Hyam (Hunt 72), Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Anderson (Nouble 72), McGoldrick, Taylor. Unused: Loach, Edwards, Tabb, Hunt, Lee, Nouble.

QPR: Green, Simpson, Dunne, Hill, Assou-Ekotto, Barton (Henry 40), Carroll, Benayoun (Traore 68), O'Neil, Kranjcar (Phillips 85), Austin. Unused: Murphy, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips, Johnson. Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire). Att: 18,369 (QPR: 1,534).

Photo: Action Images

Pip50 added 19:27 - Jan 11 Blue lad and Bobble bonce. Thankfully there are sane people on here in Blue Boy and ITFC 67. 1 win in last 7 0 wins in last 3 at home 9 wins in 27 200 visits to doctor for a stiff neck for the half way line season ticket holders. BL I expect you played senior football like me to have such a learned view also like me!!
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blueboy1981 added 19:28 - Jan 11 ...... I'd be very satisfied, comfortably holding our own, in the play off positions - so, just another totally wrong statement from you Dozzells Bobblehat, to add to the many. But, we won't be capable of that on today's evidence, or last weeks !! Whatever anyone says - we lost - some will be satisfied with that, some won't. No more - no less.
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blueboy1981 added 19:33 - Jan 11 Pip50 - factual evidence - now who can argue with that ? - I know a few who will try to though - and fail miserably. (but there will be 'reasons' of course !!) - as always.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:35 - Jan 11 blueboy - totally agree re last week and said as much if you care to look but totally disagree about today. Play like that for the rest of the season and we would win more than we lose and i would say stand a good chance of taking sixth.
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Hegansheroes added 19:35 - Jan 11 Pip50 couldn't agree with you more
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blueboy1981 added 19:36 - Jan 11 ...... waiting for the 'go elsewhere' post - which normally comes for those who dissent, or says anything negative.
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blueboy1981 added 19:40 - Jan 11 Dozzells Bobblehat - sensible post !! - I hope you are right, I really do. See, credit when / where it's due.
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Cakeman added 20:00 - Jan 11 Unfortunately it looks as though our thin squad (numbers) is taking it's toll. Some players look as though they are either a little jaded or perhaps are nursing niggling strains. With not many replacements available to use Mick has to wave a wand. I must admit I am critical sometimes when Mick seems to wait until it's too late to make substitutions but looking at the bench today, I could not see any game changers to bring on. I hope we get at least three new faces because if we have a couple of long term injuries I fear we shall struggle to keep touch with the top six. The likes of Leicester and QPR are just a cut above us at the moment but no doubt they have spent considerable money to get where they are just now. Good effort today though and could easily have ended different if we had scored first. Not our day today, a good example being when Green spilled a shot but got away with it when Gerken didn't.

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TimmyH added 20:04 - Jan 11 For me today was a 'stand-out' game to see currently where we are at present (in terms of play-off potential) and unfortunately we were found out. Yes the effort was there today which I was glad to see after some to be frank (not Nouble) half arsed attempts against the likes of Charlton and Preston but as mentioned by another poster the writing was on the wall once we went behind (can't remember too many games we've got at least a point from conceding first) - Oh yeah the mighty Yeovil. Let's not give QPR the 'big up' as they have been out of form of late failing to beat Forest, Watford and even losing to Doncaster so let's no bang on about how formidable they are. This is a league as we all know is very competitive and anybody can beat anybody on their day but unfortunately we haven't been able to beat any of the top 5 this season, lost to all of the newly relegated teams and lost to the top 3 at home. So in this respect we are very consistent at being not good enough when it matters. Unless transfer money is released for maybe 2 quality signings then play-offs are out of the question. Also as I mentioned we could soon find ourselves falling further down the table unless we wake out of this New Year slumber, 6th or 16th (very little difference currently) so let's have a little perspective.

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NoelTheDub added 20:09 - Jan 11 Im not happy with this defeat but didnt think we would get anything more than a draw at best.We are punching way above our weight at the moment and MM is getting the best out of ordinary players.My big problem is MM tactics and timing of subs,i thing he dosent react quick enough when he sees a problem.We could do with proper width and hunt should start and maybe another winger with pace.I hear so much bad stuff about nouble an sometimes murf but they could be better if some quality was been put in also 3 central mids it easy to defend if everything is going through the middle saying all that it makes a change to think we could have beaten a top side today.Enjoy your night everyone as it been a while since we,ve got something to look forward to after xmass.

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comebackburley added 20:16 - Jan 11 Such an exciting game today...must be the best we ever played. Paul Taylor was incredible. It was like he was in a cup final. Total respect to him for the commitment and skill he showed. He was so entertaining and created great chances in them game for us today. Such a shame we couldn't finish our chances in the first half. The score totally flattered QPR although there is no doubt they came out in the second half in a different gear... What I can't make out is Mick's substitutions. Frank...really? Hunt added nothing. I'm a fan of Tyrone who worked hard. We've dropped to 9th now and that's no surprise..our 6th place was sadly totally false.

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Cloddyseedbed added 20:24 - Jan 11 Shame Marriot was not on our bench today instead of Nouble. Gillingham beat 2-0 by Colchester and Marriot didn't get on again. Mick you said the lad needs football - well he isn't getting it at Gillingham! ;)
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dubblue added 20:25 - Jan 11 Obviously result does not reflect how well played but I am afraid we lack the kknock out punch. Bear in mind QPR 's recent form has not been good.
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thebeat added 20:38 - Jan 11 Thought we played really well today and 3-1 totally flattered QPR. Taylor was great today, when he's fully fit he's gona be a real asset. Hyam was much improved and we should have been ahead at half time. Usual downside for me was Anderson, he didnt have a clue what to do when thru on goal in the first half, he should have driven into the area and smashed it. Out of his depth at this level. I liked the way we kept going even when 3-0 down, but we couldnt play at the pace we did first half for 90 minutes. QPR showed the difference 3 real chances 3 goals. But we gave them a real game and should take some heart from the first half. Hunt should be given more game time and bring in another defender and an attacking midfielder and we'll be top ten pushing for top 6.

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KiwiTractor added 20:42 - Jan 11 Hate that feeling after a loss, but it sounds like the lads put in a decent performance for the most part. Couldn't make the match as the round trip from Wellington is a bit expensive, but enjoyed the ding dong battle between Dozzells Bobblehat and blueboy1981
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bluelady added 21:11 - Jan 11 Pip 50 yes I played football, and have been involved in the game for a long time - not as senior as you clearly though!
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rollercoastertown added 21:22 - Jan 11 If we are going to rate our knowledge of the game by the level of football we have played at in our distant youth, has anyone on here played at a higher level than MM? Because if not, and we are using this criteria, then we will obviously have to bow to his superior knowledge of the game.
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Scuzzer added 22:31 - Jan 11 Absolutely nowhere has the point been made about the first goal, Assou-Ekotto was a good yard offside in the original build up down the far side from where I was...shouted like mad at the lino who just shook his head three times...he already had given a goal kick to an obvious corner in the first half. Phil Dowd I thought was very good today...very fair...but this linesman he was hopeless. Even on the second goal it could be that the goal scorer was offside when the original shot came in. On the game as a whole I thought it was a very good performance by us...just had a bit of an off day defending in the second half. I wish people wouldn't back off their players attacking them and allowing the pass or cross to happen. Also...marking...becoming a bit of a lost art in the game nowadays and we are joining in. But Ipswich are my team and have been since promotion in 1968...so I will continue to support them...and I encourage you all to hang in there and to give as much as you can in getting our team into the promised land.

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blues1 added 22:32 - Jan 11 slowtractorboy. gerken had no chance with 1st goal, was simply poor defending which allowed a class player to get himself into the position to shoot in the 1st place. yes, he should have done better on the 2nd but then who reacted 1st to his mistake? not our defence for sure. raqmseyn. were you at the match? taylor was superb today. makes such a difference to ur team to have some1 who runs at the opposition.

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blues1 added 22:36 - Jan 11 oh, and abujablue/ re chris makin. no, he never posts nething positive. while I actually do agree with his view on nouble, there were planty of positives from todays match. its the 1st time I can honestly say ive enjoyed our performance in a home match for some time/ at the end of the day, the only difference between the 2 teams was they have a bit more quality where it matters, in front of goal, and they definitely the best team defensively to play at portman road this season.

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blues1 added 22:44 - Jan 11 oh, and one final thing. blueboy. the reason you get slated and downmarked by so many on here, is you, like several others, don't ever actually post nething positive on here. if wed won 6-0 today, youd be nowhere to be seen. but as we lost, here you are. and how you can compare todays performance with that against preston last week is beyond me. but then, maybe you weren't actually at either match. if you were, maybe you should go to specsavers as there was no comparison between the 2 matches.

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alfromcol added 22:45 - Jan 11 Missed Murphy today, no aerial threat. Still need a proper right back, 2 more goals coming from that side as they did when Carlos played there. Chambers makes every effort but like Carlos he gets found out. Only difference between the two sides today, QPR took their chances and Town didn't
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blues1 added 22:55 - Jan 11 the beat. were you at the match today? Anderson had a very good game. was involved with much of what we did, particularly in 1st half. but then, you seeto bem one of those guys who have simply take against a particular player and will criticise him for the sake of it. I, unlike you, for instance, while ive been critical of hyam before, have to say, he had his best game of the season today.

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blueboy1981 added 23:06 - Jan 11 blues! - BRAVO - sometimes the truth hurts I guess, and some can't take it - you should know.
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blueboy1981 added 23:08 - Jan 11 ........ and I wonder if you have attended as many games as I over 40+ years !!!!!!! - so get your facts right before casting 'aspersions' OK - AND YES I WAS THERE - WAS YOU ? AND ARE YOU EVERY WEEK ?
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