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

BillBlue added 12:50 - Jan 12 Thank you blueboy for your very kind comments, much appreciated. I like your response to moon09 too! You are spot on Elizabeth and I particularly like and support two of your words which are 'wasted' and 'dire'!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 13:34 - Jan 12 blueboy - can i just point out that its hypocritical to say to people " Just because someone thinks differently to you - why do you have to be abusive ?? " and then in the same post refer to blue moon as being " 'the forever satisfied brigade' " and saying he has "lost the plot" You constantly post making negative commenst and then daring people to minus you and stating that if they disagree they lack ambition or are prepared to settle for second best. You recently said to me "expecting little, if nothing, in life " when you know nothing about me. I have no issue with you coming on here and posting what you see as constructive comments but if you carry on doing it in your confrontational style then you must expect some backlash im afraid. Also when you state your opinion that IS NOT fact, its your opinion. No worse but certainly no more important than anyone elses. Lets hope we can agree in the future as Town build on a promising first half of the season.

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blueboy1981 added 14:22 - Jan 12 Dozzells Bobblehat - ... you, and others, respond to my posts how / if you like - that's your perogative. What you, or others, will EVER be able to accuse me of is being abusive i.e. calling people Mugs, Idiots, etc; etc; - just because someone disagrees with a view -there is no need for it on this forum, and should not be tolerated by it. Some people will, obviously, from the tone of their repeated posts, continuously be happy as long as ' a ball is kicked at Portman Road' - these are who I refer to as the 'forever satisfied Brigade' - this is in no way ABUSIVE - just an observation. There is a difference. I will always seek improvement in all I do, and will be ambitious until the day I die - I equally appreciate that not all are like me in that respect. That includes what I expect, within reason, from ITFC as a long term paying customer. We are all different - sometimes that is a blessing in itself. And yes, let's hope we can agree more often !!.

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blueboy1981 added 14:34 - Jan 12 ...... the fact that I have received minus's for my last two posts says all I need to say about some people - but that's just their opinion, and does it matter to me ? NO.
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Elizabeth added 14:39 - Jan 12 blueboy 1981, singing from the same hymn sheet as myself! I know you cannot compare the game to how it was in the past but one of the most important qualities is to play as a team ! We haven't always had top players but team spirit goes a long way for success!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 14:54 - Jan 12 Blueboy - you are right, abusive is the wrong word, but some of your references are certainly offensive. That's fine by me, I don't give a toss but you can't then moan at people when they give it back.
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blueboy1981 added 15:05 - Jan 12 Dozzells Bobblehat - ..... I'm genuinely sad that that is your interpretation, that tells me something about you - not everyone would agree with you - and they are the one's that matter to me anyway because I speak the truth, state facts, and I'm not easily satisfied. What can be wrong with that in the real world ?. It genuinely gave me pleasure to compliment you on your post yesterday !!

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blueboy1981 added 15:10 - Jan 12 ...... and remember - I hang the hat on the peg - you OFTEN take it off, and wear it....... don't you ?
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 15:10 - Jan 12 blueboy - there you go again . Its not fact, IT'S YOU'RE OPINION, they are not the same thing and how you can say comments such as "you expect little , if nothing in life " are not offensive ? Obviously we will not agree on it.
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blueboy1981 added 15:15 - Jan 12 ...... I did not say that about YOU - you chose to wear that hat - I didn't !!! .... think about it !! OK, I base my opinions on facts - how's that ?
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blueboy1981 added 15:18 - Jan 12 ....... Sunday afternoon matinee - hope you like it ..........
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 15:20 - Jan 12 There you go - see you can be funny
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blueboy1981 added 15:28 - Jan 12 I know I can - and that's a opinion, based on a fact............. .
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blueboy1981 added 15:29 - Jan 12 ..... I'll buy you a beer one day - PERHAPS !!!! .......
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blueboy1981 added 15:31 - Jan 12 ..... I'll make a decision on that over the next 3 years.
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Scuzzer added 16:44 - Jan 12 Can you two get a room.
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blueboy1981 added 17:05 - Jan 12 Scuzzer - .... nothing like being miserable - is there ?
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 17:36 - Jan 12 Scuzzer - no he hogs the covers!
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budgieplucker added 18:41 - Jan 12 Its no coincidence that some of our join up play today was much better and more positive when we had the best movement up front all season and players prepared to run at defenders. Yes we fluffed a couple of chances where perhaps Anderson and Taylor should have done better. I am not an Anderson fan and whilst I wouldn't have included him in my starting line-up I have to be honest and say that I did think he generally had a good game. With Luke Hyam, it is much easier to pass forward when you have the sort of movement up front we had yesterday, with Taylor and Anderson making space and pulling players out of position. But I guess the Hyam knockers will still not have seen enough yesterday to suggest to them he can have an impact at this level and will still not appreciate that you can't always pass forward unless players are making the right runs or making themselves available.

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Jimmy86 added 19:22 - Jan 12 Budgie plucker, wasn't at the game yesterday but hear hyam played quite well. I must admitt I am critical of him at times, because i'm not blinkered by the fact he's a local boy. The biggest issues with hyam are 1. Confidence and 2. he is being asked to play a role he is not capable of fulfilling. I agree in part with your point about it being easier to pass the ball forwards if there is good movement of players in front of him, but at times this season and certainly recently when he recieves the ball his immediate response is to pass either side ways or backwards, sometimes even checking and then turning to play the ball backwards and this is what has drawn frustration from the crowd. A creative, attack minded midfielder will see things in front of him and may even be able to play balls through for the forwards to run on to. Hyam will sadly never be able to unlock a defence. He really puts in a shift and the effort is there but that is currently where the squad is at this moment in time

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tractorboyz82 added 20:57 - Jan 12 Have only missed 7 games this season and I've come to conclusion that what I've seen of hyam is as good as he'll get and if we had other players that could do the attacking mid role hyam would be on the bench if mick plays 442 with two attacking wide players hyam/skuse could work but playing three in the middle skuse hyam tunners you may as well play six at the back and tunners on his own in the middle because every time we come forward hyam and skuse are so far back there's no support for the strikers which is why you mcgoldrick and Taylor both out wide trying to hold the ball up.

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Walk_the_Wark added 21:20 - Jan 12 Can I just make a comment? I think the problem on this site right now, is that if people express an opinion that is negative in any way they receive dogs abuse and loads of -'s. Its a shame the +/- thing was ever introduced.. I think it's safe to say that anyone passionate enough to post on here, irrelevant of how many games they are able to see in the flesh, must be a pretty ardent fan. So can we have some respect for +/- opinions and stop bickering between ourselves?? It just becomes a bit predictable and boring. Some are satisfied with ITFC at the mo, some are not.. I'm a die hard fan, and I want nothing more than success for Town. I don't rate Mick or his tactics, but that does not make me an idiot, a budgie etc. I will continue to support Town, good or bad, and await a more suitable manager. This is a forum- Not an MM fan site. You can support Town but not always be happy. Thanks

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JWM added 21:56 - Jan 12 The problem with your statement Wark the Wark is that the overwhelming majority of Town fans are generally happy and live in the real world. Most Town fans think that Mick is doing a pretty good job under the circumstances and realise that it will take time to become serious promotion contenders! Your comment about waiting for a more suitable manager is just ridiculous. We have a more than suitable manager and its a shame that you cant accept that but hey not many share your view!

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Jimmy86 added 22:05 - Jan 12 JWM we do realise it will take time, however saying that with a few quality signings this month, with the backing of ME of course, whats to say that we cant finish in the top 6?? the progression that has been made is brilliant, without a shadow of a doubt. Some fans are happy and realistic, but would also like a little bit more
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budgieplucker added 22:26 - Jan 12 Jimmy86, I would accept that there are much better players than Luke Hyam or Paul Anderson in this Division. I don't take issue with anyone's views that to compete with several of the teams above us we could do with some more talent in the squad. I personally hold a view that Hyam and Anderson can come in and do a job for the team. Whilst, I mentioned above I am not an Anderson fan the guy worked his nuts off yesterday. He should have done better on a couple of occassions, and one poster on here mentioned he looked like a "Rabbit in the headlights" when he broke free and was on goal - that was quite an apt description. I do feel Anderson's running on and off the ball further up the pitch did have an impact in terms of creating more space, fluency and options - his final ball though in my view needs to improve. I dare say if more money had been made available to MM then the likes of these two players would probably not be considered first choice starters (arguably Anderson isn't). This was the same in Bobby Robson's day's when the club couldn't compete in the transfer market. I remember watching several players in their early games who I thought would never make it. Just to take two examples - Robin Turner was one and I sort of think I was right on that one although he did have a spell in the lower leagues after he left Ipswich. The other example was Trevor Whymark who for almost a season looked so lightweight that a puff of wind might blow him over and seemed to be dominated by every centre half he came up against. Much to my surprise he eventually blossomed into one of the most under rated strikers in the country. He developed his ability in the air to a phenomenally outstanding level but apart from the odd glimpse this was not obvious to me or many supporters at the beginning. When you bring your own players through patience is required. You may also recall not long before MM arrived there were several on TWTD pretty much intimating that Tommy Smith wasn't up to it at this level. Tommy is just a good example of what a little patience, good coaching and having a brilliant man manager can do for a players development and confidence.

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