Zian Flemming endured a frustrating afternoon as Burnley drew a blank against QPR
Burnley lost ground on Championship leaders Sunderland after being held by struggling QPR at Turf Moor.
The Clarets dominated throughout but were thwarted by a resolute Rangers defence who dug in to record their first clean sheet of the season.
Connor Roberts almost broke the deadlock when his dipping drive grazed the woodwork, while Zian Flemming and Josh Laurent also went close.
However, second-placed Burnley could not find a way through as the second-bottom R's clung on desperately to secure a valuable point.
Rangers, who arrived at Turf Moor without a win in seven games, went close to snatching an unexpected early lead when Paul Smyth broke and exchanged passes with Ilias Chair before hitting an angled shot that clipped the bar.
Burnley soon began to dictate possession, sweeping forward along both flanks and racking up corners but failing to capitalise as the unmarked Bashir Humphreys directed his header off target.
It took them until late in the first half to actually test goalkeeper Paul Nardi, who was equal to the task after the lively Luca Koleosho set up Josh Cullen.
But the visitors were indebted to skipper Steve Cook, whose challenge did enough to force Flemming wide before a perfectly-timed block foiled Roberts as the Clarets' slick passing opened up the QPR defence.
It was a similar story after the break, with Roberts almost putting Burnley ahead within a minute of the restart when his left-foot drive hit the bar and bounced over.
Laurent might also have opened the scoring with a cross-shot that Nardi tipped behind and he then had a header from a corner saved by the diving keeper.
Rangers sacrificed their only recognised striker, Zan Celar, after an hour as they continued to soak up pressure and rely on the occasional counter-attack.
The plan worked, with Cook and Jake Clarke-Salter rock solid at the back as Burnley, despite throwing on forwards Jay Rodriguez and Enock Agyei in the closing stages, had to settle for a draw.
The result leaves Scott Parker’s side five points behind Sunderland in second place, with QPR still 23rd and three points from safety.
Burnley head coach Scott Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"Today was a boxing match that was always probably going to end in the 10th or 11th round and it didn't materialise for us.
"We jabbed and jabbed away and we beat them up and they've come out the ring with scars and bruises along the way and they've managed to hold on in there.
"We've knocked on the door for the whole 96 minutes and reduced them to practically nothing. The game was played on probably half the pitch today.
"We just fell a bit short. There are parts where we can be better – 22 shots and only four on target – but we'll keep moving and progressing."
QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes told BBC Radio London 94.9:
"It's a very important point for us because of the situation and the last 48 hours have been really challenging as well, because we lost four important players.
"Sometimes when you're in that sort of position in the table, it feels like everything is happening against you. In the circumstances I'm really pleased about the way the guys worked and fought for the badge and for the club.
"Burnley have just come from the Premier League, obviously they have a lot of quality and individual talent. We understood it was very important to be patient and find our moments in the game.
"I'm pleased about the clean sheet because it was our first one. It was very important not to concede."
