Heidar Helguson scored a goal in each half as QPR continued their promotion push with a 3-0 win over in the Coca-Cola Championship clash at Bloomfield Road.

The Iceland international lived up to his reputation as a ruthless aerial predator when he headed home winger Wayne Routledge's pinpoint cross to give his side a scarcely-deserved first-half lead.

Blackpool started the second period the more lively but soon found themselves further behind when Ian Evatt felled Lee Cook in the area and Helguson coolly converted the resulting penalty.

The hosts' problems increased as second-half substitute Stephen Crainey was forced to hobble out of the action after just 14 minutes on the pitch to leave his side playing with 10 men having used all their substitutions.

On-loan Liverpool striker Kristian Nemeth made a second-half cameo appearance for the home side but it was a rare positive in a night of frustration for the Seasiders.

And QPR proceeded to rub salt in their opponents wounds as Hogan Ephraim ran on to Cook's incisive through-ball before slotting home to make it 3-0 in the final minute.

Blackpool striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher had the first meaningful shot on target when he latched on to DJ Campbell's clever flick-on but his shot was well saved by Rs goalkeeper Lee Camp.

Camp was a late addition to manager Paulo Sousa's starting XI after first choice Radek Cerny pulled up with a hamstring strain in the warm up but was soon called into action as Taylor-Fletcher's effort tested him from distance.

The home side were dominant in the opening period but they fell behind against the run of play in the 17th minute.

Former Watford and Fulham striker Helguson, ploughing a loan furrow up front for the visitors, was the man who opened the scoring as he powered home Routledge's incisive cross with a header which left Paul Rachubka no chance.

Blackpool had been in thorough command of the game prior to conceding and did their best to respond immediately but midfielder David Vaughan's 20-yard shot was punched clear by Camp.

QPR's Portuguese manager Sousa handed a debut to former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder Liam Miller following his loan arrival from Sunderland while defender Kaspars Gorkss lined up against his former club.

The equaliser that was threatening throughout the opening period almost came just 20 seconds into the second half but David Fox's stinging drive from 20 yards out was bravely blocked by defender Gavin Mahon.

But again they were punished for their profligacy when the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute.

Referee had little hesitation in pointing to the spot following a blatant trip by defender Evatt as Cook

surged into the area and Helguson stepped up to calmly stroke home his second goal of the evening.

Grayson threw on new-boy Nemeth for the ineffective Roy O'Donovan on the hour mark in a bid to breathe fire into his stuttering attack.

And things went from bad to worse for the hosts when their third and final substitute Crainey, in only his second appearance of the season, was forced to leave the field of play after just 14 minutes on the pitch.

Their misery was compounded in the final minute when Ephraim applied a cool finish to Cook's threaded through-ball to make it 3-0.

Teams

Blackpool Rachubka, Barker, Evatt, Edwards,Harte (Crainey 64), O'Donovan (Nemeth 59), Fox, Vaughan,Martin (Owens 46), Campbell, Taylor-Fletcher.

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Baptiste.

QPR Camp, Connolly (Hall 88), Stewart, Gorkss, Delaney,Routledge, Cook, Leigertwood, Mahon, Miller (Ephraim 54),Helguson (Blackstock 75).

Subs Not Used: Bulmer, Di Carmine.

Booked: Cook, Routledge.

Goals: Helguson 17, 58 pen, Ephraim 90.

Att: 6,656

Ref: Graham Laws (Tyne & Wear).