Rovers are breathing energy back in to an end to the season which looked to be on a life support machine.

It is now back-to-back away wins and a third straight victory for Rovers who were full value for the three points.

As it has been so often during the course of the last 18 months it was Danny Graham and Bradley Dack on target and they have now shared a combined 33 goals this season.

There was some unnecessary late pressure as Rovers, who had defended the high ball so well for most of the second half, handed QPR hope in injury time.

But Tony Mowbray’s points target of 60, set after reaching 50 two games ago, looks well in reach as they prepare to host Bolton Wanderers on Monday.

With Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams looking strong in central defence, Lewis Travis impressive in front of them, and a front four carrying a real threat, Rovers have looked a team re-born. 

There was a big call before the game from Mowbray in leaving out David Raya as Jayson Leutwiler made just a third league start.

But the Canadian looked less than convincing, with his first work seeing him only palm a cross in to the path of Pawel Wszolek who volleyed over.

However, QPR were fielding a patched up defence, and their makeshift full backs were given a torrid time by Rovers pair Joe Rothwell and Adam Armstrong.

And it wasn’t just the sunshine that was dazzling in West London as Dack began to strut his stuff.

His fifth minute shot was deflected over, before a delicious dink put Graham in, only for the striker to slip at the vital moment.

And that was the case when Dack failed to get enough contact on an Armstrong cross before Corry Evans went within inches of putting them ahead as Joe Lumley palmed a weak shot inches wide.

The goalkeeper had his blushes spared there, but that wasn’t the case in the 22nd minute when Rovers took the lead.

Lewis Travis was felled by Josh Scowen before Graham’s tame penalty found a way through Lumley and into the corner.

Moments before that, Darragh Lenihan’s header from Rothwell’s free kick somehow didn’t find the bottom corner.

The visitors were looking like scoring every time they poured forward as a Graham header from Elliott Bennett’s cross drifted inches wide.

That was a rare moment of attacking play from Bennett who was given a tough time by QPR dangerman Bright Osayi-Samuel. The winger cut inside the Rovers captain only to arrow a curling effort just past the post.

QPR were utilising their left flank at every given chance and it was the hosts who ended on the front foot as great defending from Bennett denied Osayi-Samuel a certain tap in.

The attacking three behind Graham who had caused so many problems in the first half took just 30 seconds of the second to give Rovers the second goal they deserved.

Rothwell fed Armstrong whose pinpoint cross was perfect for the timed run of Dack whose bullet header was saved by the legs of Lumley but he was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.

A serious injury to QPR midfielder Jordan Cousins took the sting out of the game which then became something of cat and mouse.

Rovers’ pace in attack was always likely to allow for more chances though and an excellent Armstrong run end with substitute Jack Rodwell’s goalbound shot being blocked.

Osayi-Samuel somehow escaped a red card for a shocking lunge on Bennett with seven minutes to go to the disbelief of most inside Loftus Road.

Six added minutes gave the home fans hope, and there was certainly nerves in the Rovers ranks when Leutwiler came for the ball and  got nowhere near it as Matt Smith headed in to the empty net to add some unnecessary late pressure.