A Mark Rivers strike gave Crewe three vital points in their bid to escape relegation.

Shaun Smith opened the scoring for Crewe, ending a run of 408 minutes without a goal, which had seen them lose five matches on the trot.

Smith darted onto David Wright's cross and was hacked down inside the area by Paul Murray. The Alex skipper picked himself up and calmly converted from the penalty spot.

QPR hit back right on the stroke of half-time. Murray delivered a deep cross from the right, Gavin Peacock flicked the ball back across goal and Richard Langley lashed home.

Crewe often looked nervous, but sealed a crucial win after 55 minutes. A long punt forward from Kenny Lunt was met by Rivers in the box who flicked over Rangers keeper Lee Harper to score.

One place above the drop zone before the game began, Dario Gradi's men knew they needed the win if they were to stand any chance of escaping the drop.

Colin Cramb had a great chance in the opening minutes to calm his team down after Ian Baraclough had blundered in the box, but the Crewe striker drove his shot straight into Harper's body.

Rangers counter attacked and a Murray cross was nodded on by Carl Ready to Gareth Taylor who forced Alex keeper Jason Kearton to make a save.

A brilliant Crewe move nearly led to another goal. Cramb's back-heel found Colin Little who move the ball to Kenny Lunt and young midfielder launched a brilliant forward ball which sent Cramb racing clear of the visitors defence, but he blasted wide.

Cramb was in action after the break again, beating Baraclough before curling a shot goalwards, which Harper did well to hold.

Crewe midfielder Kevin Street went on a terrific run into the Rangers box and his pull-back was met by Cramb, but the shot flew over the bar.

Then Street fed Rivers who put a terrific volley just wide of the target.

QPR began to gain control of the game. From Ready's flick Chris Kiwomya threw himself at the ball but Kearton, who was making his 100th consecutive appearance for the home team, made a good save.

Teams:

Crewe: Kearton, D. Wright, Walton, Macauley, S. Smith, Street (Lightfoot 90), Sorvel, Lunt, Little, Cramb (P. Smith 75), Rivers, P. Smith (Tait 85).

Subs Not Used: S. Wright, Ince.

Goals: S. Smith 18 pen, Rivers 55.

QPR: Harper, Perry, Baraclough, Ready, Bruce (Gallen 66), Murray, Wardley, Langley (Scully 85), Peacock, Taylor (Koejoe 44), Kiwomya.

Subs Not Used: Kulcsar, Rowland.

Booked: Bruce, Ready.

Goals: Langley 45.

Att: 4,741

Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester).