Burnley endured a spot of capital punishment as two second half corners condemned them to an away day defeat in London.

The Clarets offered Dexter Blackstock and Steve Lomas free headers to seal a crucial victory after Chris McCann's first half header cancelled out Lee Cook's early opener.

And the beaten Clarets were left with the sole consolation of seeing Andy Gray return to action for the first time in two months.

Gray was the name on everyone's lips before kick off. The 10-goal striker had been sidelined for two months since breaking three metatarsals in his right foot against Leeds United in late November.

But his name on the substitutes' bench sent a ripple of excitement around the travelling Burnley supporters who made the journey to Loftus Road.

A disappointing recent run of results had seen the Clarets sink down the Championship table, but they almost grabbed the lead inside four minutes.

Skipper for the day Ade Akinbiyi nodded down a hopeful ball into the box and Mahon was only denied by a combination of a bobbling ball and a last-gasp tackle from Adam Bolder.

Burnley had begun looking like they meant business, but the 13th minute proved unlucky as Rangers broke to grab the lead.

Cook received the ball in the left channel and he advanced before unleashing a low drive back across Mike Pollitt and just inside the left hand post.

Michael Duff's header was plucked out of the air by Rangers keeper Simon Royce as the Clarets looked for an instant response.

And the deserved equaliser arrived in the 18th minute as McCann arrived stealth-like to head home from 12 yards.

Joey Gudjonsson delivered the killer ball and the Irish teenager, who scored a goal of the season contender here last season, rose to plant a towering header past a stunned Royce.

The game was now in full ebb and flow, but after Mike Pollitt saved comfortably from Martin Rowlands midway through the half, the action ground to a halt as both sides scrapped their way to the break.

The second half began in similar fashion, but in the 55th minute Rangers struck for a second time to regain the lead.

The first corner of the half was drilled into the six yard box and Blackstock rose totally unchallenged to power home an easy header.

Cook was inches too high with a speculative volley as the hosts looked to turn the screw.

And that was enough for Steve Cotterill, who made a triple substitution to try to instigate a second fightback.

Gray made his long-awaited return and he was joined by Steve Jones and debutant Steven Caldwell as Gudjonsson, Mahon and Stephen Foster made way.

However, Rangers continued to make all the headway and in the 73rd minute the third decisive goal arrived.

Pollitt made a terrific sprawling save from livewire striker Blackstock, but from the resulting corner Steve Lomas had far too much room to head past the helpless Pollitt.

Burnley showed character to try to earn a lifeline. However, despite enjoying plenty of possession in the closing stages, the goal that might have set up a grandstand finish failed to arrive.

Burnley: Pollitt: Harley, Duff, McGreal, Foster (Caldwell 65), Mahon (Gray 65), McCann, Gudjonsson (Jones 65), J O'Connor, Lafferty, Akinbiyi.
Subs: Coyne, Elliott

QPR: Royce, Cullip, Bolder, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Lomas, Cook, Stewart, Timoska, Blackstock, Mancienne.
Subs: Cole, Rehman, Nygaard, Jones, Smith

Ref: D Gallagher

Att: 10,811