Blackstock inspires QPR victory

Blackstock, who left the south coast for west London two years ago, opened the scoring after just 40 seconds and took his tally for the season to five late in the second half.

Southampton had been reduced to 10 men on the half hour when young defender Ollie Lancashire was sent off for a foul on Damien Delaney. Adam Lallana equalised for the visitors, but Damion Stewart fired Rangers back in front in controversial circumstances, then Blackstock and Patrick Agyemang made the game safe.

Rangers may have just lost their tag as the world's richest club to Manchester City, but it did not stop them taking the lead against their lowly visitors before much of Loftus Road had taken their seats.

Gavin Mahon sent a long throw into the area, Lancashire made a hash of his header and Blackstock was on hand to rifle the ball into the roof of the net.

The Saints' task became far harder when Lancashire marked a debut to forget by lunging in on overlapping full-back Delaney, sending the Irishman sprawling and earning a straight red card from referee Kevin Friend.

But the visitors drew level when Morgan Schneiderlin collected the ball from keeper Kelvin Davis and fed Lallana, who sauntered forward 40 yards before exchanging a one-two with Simon Gillett and burying the return ball past Radek Cerny.

However, Rangers hit back in the 63rd minute when club captain Martin Rowlands, on as a substitute moments earlier, floated in a free-kick which Stewart - who looked at least a yard offside - prodded in.

Agyemang then burst through and Davis saved his effort but could do nothing to keep out Blackstock's follow-up.

Davis came up with another stunning save to keep out Agyemang and Delaney had a goal ruled out for a foul. But Agyemang had the final say in stoppage time, racing through what remained of a weary Saints defence and clinically finishing past Davis.