QPR slipped to a seventh successive league defeat as they lost 2-0 to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
It was the worst possible start for Steve McClaren’s men as Jonny Howson fired Boro ahead after two minutes, latching onto Mo Besic’s pass to fire low past Joe Lumley.
QPR almost replied immediately as Eberechi Eze’s effort was turned behind by Boro keeper Darren Randolph.
However, it was one of few fleeting chances the Hoops had and the hosts soon doubled their lead through Ashley Fletcher just past the half-hour mark.
Lumley then did brilliantly to deny Britt Assombalonga at point blank range to keep the score down at the interval.
The second-half saw a similar pattern with Assombalonga once again going close while QPR’s best effort came from Nahki Wells late on.
The result leaves QPR in 18th place, with a nine point cushion to the Championship bottom three.