Luton Town 3-1 QPR: Hatters extend unbeaten run to six matches
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Elijah Adebayo scored the opening goal for Luton Town as they ended QPR's winning run and denied them taking top spot in the Championship
An early goal from Elijah Adebayo, a second-half mistake by QPR and a stoppage-time third helped Luton Town extend their unbeaten Championship run to six matches.
Adebayo put Luton in front with a free header at the back post for his third goal of the season.
QPR came unstuck when Tim Iroegbunam gave the ball away and, while trying to clear the danger, Jimmy Dunne collided with keeper Seny Dieng and the ball ricocheted into the net off the R's defender.
The visitors got one back in the 90th minute from keeper Ethan Horvath's own goal but Luke Freeman restored Luton's two-goal cushion late on.
Coming into the match Luton had lost seven of their past eight league games against QPR, with their last win against the visitors coming in January 2006.
The result prevented the R's from going top of the Championship, however, and brought their impressive five-game unbeaten run to an end.
After Adebayo sent Luton ahead, the Hatters had chances to extend their lead towards the end of the first half.
Henri Lansbury's slicing half-volley from inside the box went wide, skipper Sonny Bradley had a header cleared off the line by Lyndon Dykes and a glancing header from Adebayo hit the post.
QPR created more chances in a hectic second half with Tyler Roberts firing wide while Jake Clarke-Salter thundered a shot off the crossbar.
Rob Dickie's header bounced in off Horvath in the closing stages but there was still time for Freeman to score against his former club as he worked onto Harry Cornick's delivery to wrap up the win for Luton.
Luton Town manager Nathan Jones told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"Right from the off we were excellent, aggressive around the box and showed some real quality. Even in the second half we had the better chances. A wonderful performance.
"We defended really well and I think we are the best in the league at defending set plays.
"We're in a decent place but we knew we would have to work hard today and luckily we did."
QPR manager Mick Beale told BBC London:
"Fair play to Luton, their front two were a real handful and we didn't deal with it.
"We let in poor goals today but we need to put it to bed and move on.
"I'm not going to bash our defenders. I'm dealing with human beings and some young players.
"I've asked them to push this loss to one side and show me on Wednesday (against Cardiff) that they can show me some renewed energy and confidence."