Cardiff boss Dave Jones pointed to the club's fitness regime as the catalyst for Tuesday night's 3-1 Coca-Cola Championship victory over QPR.

Joe Ledley scored his seventh and eighth goals of a stellar season as the Bluebirds extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was the principal creative force, expertly laying on the young midfielder's second of the evening and feeding Paul Parry for Cardiff's third.

The 35-year-old Dutchman produced a tireless performance as lone striker for 90 minutes until he gave way to Steven Thompson in stoppage-time.

"To put on a performance like that after playing on Sunday was excellent and a tribute to our fitness staff," said a delighted Jones, whose side reached the FA Cup fifth round at the weekend.

"Their fitness levels were superb and I can't praise them enough as some of our movements were up there with the best we have done this season.

"The only downside was conceding a goal and having Michael Oakes injured with a blow to the face but we have a great back-up team here and all our walking wounded will be well looked after."

With a three-goal lead established, Cardiff took their foot off the gas, and substitute Hogan Ephraim capitalised with a smart close-range finish after 76 minutes.

But it could not prevent the Bluebirds notching up their fifth straight home victory to move within a point of the play-offs.

Rangers boss Luigi Di Canio said: "Cardiff surprised us by the way they played and they took full advantage of our mistakes.

"We conceded an early first goal and that gave them the opportunity to play the way they wanted.

"They were very quick at making use of the space out wide and that caused us problems.

"We have many new players and it will take time to show any improvements."

Cardiff were on top from the opening whistle but the goal they deserved never came until the 12th minute when a back pass from Damian Delaney went astray. Parry raced on to the loose ball and made ground before crossing to Ledley, who slotted home from close range.

Only Lee Camp in the Rangers goal prevented the Bluebirds from improving the scoreline as he made a number of crucial saves to deny Peter Whittingham, Hasselbaink and Ledley.

Five minutes from the break, the hosts scored the goal they deserved when 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey floated a pass out wide to Hasselbaink.

The veteran slipped the ball through to Ledley and the Wales international made no mistake.

Twelve minutes into the second period, it was the busy Parry's turn to get on the score sheet.

A long through ball to Glenn Loovens was worked up to Parry and he made progress before beating Camp with a crisp shot.

Rangers had a small consolation when they pulled one back through Ephraim.

In the goalmouth scramble, City keeper Michael Oakes was injured and loan signing Peter Enckelman replaced him for his Bluebirds debut.

The home defence had one or two scares as the game drew to a close but City were well worth the victory.