David McGoldrick’s first-half strike for high-flying Sheffield United was enough to end QPR’s six game unbeaten run.
The hosts dominated the opening 45 minutes and took a deserved lead when McGoldrick headed Oliver Norwood’s cross past Hoops keeper Joe Lumley in the 37th minute.
QPR offered little attacking threat in the opening period, limited to speculative long range efforts from Jordan Cousins and Ebere Eze.
The second-half saw Steve McClaren’s side offer more urgency though – with Luke Freeman squandering the best of the chances to equalise.
Blades’ full-back Enda Stevens could also have doubled his side’s advantage but his effort was just wide while QPR forward Nahki Wells’ blazed over the bar in stoppage time.
In the end Sheffield United held firm to move up to second in the table with QPR dropping down to 11th – four points off the Play-Off places.