Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Queens Park Rangers: Joseph Hodge scores on QPR debut as pressure builds on Jon Dahl Tomasson

QPR beat Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park for the first time since 1999

Two goals in three minutes gave relegation-fighting QPR a vital three points at Blackburn Rovers and heaped more pressure on Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson.

An Aynsley Pears own goal was quickly followed by a calm finish from substitute Joseph Hodge, making his debut since signing on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers on deadline day.

The home side hit back through Sam Gallagher to set up a tense finish at Ewood Park.

But the Hoops held on to secure a crucial win although they remain in the relegation zone, three points from safety, with fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town beating Sheffield Wednesday.

Blackburn's winless run has now extended to eight games leaving them in 18th place in the Championship.

Since the start of December, Blackburn have picked up fewer points than any other Championship side and have conceded the most goals in the division in that time, and Tomasson was absent from pre-match media duties on Friday due to a "club decision".

And today's defeat will do nothing to alleviate the pressure on him, with the Hoops finally taking a deserved lead after missing a host of chances in the first half.

A triple substitution of Paul Smyth and new signings Isaac Hayden and Hodge made an instant impact as the away side were 2-0 up within five minutes.

There was a hint of fortune about the opener, as the lively Ilias Chair's right-foot shot cannoned off the post into the back of goalkeeper Pears and into the net.

Three minutes later they doubled their lead through 21-year-old Hodge, who calmly slotted past Pears for a debut goal.

Gallagher hit back for the home side after QPR failed to clear Sammie Szmodics' cross from danger, before the Championship's 16-goal top scorer Szmodics was forced off injured.

Gallagher forced a fingertip save from Asmir Begovic in the QPR goal deep into stoppage time as the home side failed to find the equaliser.

Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire:

"Of course we are disappointed to lose the game. I think we started really well.

"We conceded two unnecessary goals when we could have done better."

On missing Friday's press conference: "It's not good when you're not able to speak to the fans.

"The fans are the soul and the passion of the game and the heart of this football club, so we should always think about this but it was a club decision and I have no comment to that decision."

QPR boss Martí Cifuentes speaking to BBC Radio London:

"I'm very pleased with the result, we know how difficult it has been historically for QPR to get a victory here.

"We played a very good game, especially the first 75 minutes, I think we perhaps could have taken a bigger lead.

"They're a very good team, they can create chances. When they scored one goal perhaps there was nothing to lose for them."

On QPR's new signings: "All credit to them, [they have] different situations but all of them are showing big commitment to play for us.

"I'm pleased to have these guys in the squad because definitely they will help us a lot."