A BIZARRE own goal from Blackpool's Chris Clarke gave the home side all three points in front of the cameras at Loftus road.

Scott Taylor had deservedly levelled the scores for Blackpool moments before the Clarke disaster after Richard Langley's first half opener.

And despite a decent second half display Pool were unable to level the scores again and QPR rose to within two points of leaders Cardiff.

Prior to the game Steve McMahon announced he was still without the services of Danny Coid and Martin Bullock.

In addition Peter Clarke was away on England under-21 duties -- Chris Clarke was his replacement in the centre of the defence.

In a lively first half QPR's opening chance came in the tenth minute when Jerome Thomas unleashed a 20-yard right-foot shot that was saved by Phil Barnes.

Seven minutes later Terrell Forbes played the ball through to Richard Langley who ran to the edge of the area before striking the ball under Barnes to make it 1-0 to QPR.

QPR's veteran striker Paul Furlong had a chance to double the scores just before half time with a header but Tommy Jaszczun cleared the ball off the line.

At the other end Scott Taylor then had a chance to level the scores just minutes later but failed to control the ball when clear on goal, much to the frustration of the travelling Blackpool fans.

The second half was much better from a Blackpool point of view. The Seasiders begin to pass the ball better and deservedly equalised when Scott Taylor struck home after a counter attack involving Wellens and Hills.

But then came the calamitous error between Chris Clarke and his keeper Barnes. Barnes failed to react to a disastrous back pass from Clarke and the ball trickled into the net.

To be fair to Clarke, he had a good game otherwise, keeping Paul Furlong under wraps throughout.

But unfortunately for Clarke it was his error that cost the match for Pool.

The visitors rarely threatened in the remainder of the game and it was QPR who looked the more likely to score.

The win lifts QPR towards the top of the division, now five points ahead of eigth placed Blackpool.

QPR 2 -- Blackpool 1