QPR's alarming slide continued as Crewe leapfrogged them in the table with a convincing win at Loftus Road.

First-half goals from Richard Walker and Mark Rivers put Dario Gradi's side in command - and they held on despite Danny Shittu's late strike.

Since competing for automatic promotion places, Ian Holloway's side have been in freefall and have now lost five matches on the spin.

This contrasts with the form of the Railwaymen, who have turned their season around with just one defeat in 10 games - largely due to the form of striker Dean Aston, who has been linked with a move to the top flight.

Should the 21-year-old move in the January transfer window, manager Gradi will be boosted by the goalscoring form of his other players.

Walker and Rivers netted in the first half, assuring the visitors of victory and they are now looking towards an unlikely play-off place if their run continues in the second half of the season.

Walker looped a header in from David Vaughan's corner six minutes before the break, the ball was hacked away but referee Clive Penton ruled it had crossed the line.

If the opener was scruffy, Crewe's second goal showed how much they have improved since a poor start to the season. In first half injury-time Kenny Lunt found Rivers who swept in after an impressive four-man move.

Before Crewe took the lead the game had been dismal and short of quality. Ashton had a header over the bar after nine minutes from a Vaughan corner - but chances were proving difficult to come by.

Holloway handed a first start to striker Leon Best, on loan from Southampton, but the 18-year-old struggled to make an impact.

The Hoops were reduced to long-range efforts, defender Shittu shooting over in the 11th minute from the edge of the area following Kevin Gallen's outswinging corner.

In the 25th minute Crewe keeper Clayton Ince was forced into the first save of the match, claiming Lee Cook's 20-yard drive after cutting in from the left.

Crewe took advantage of the home side's inability to create a clear opening and after Walker and Rivers struck, Holloway responded by bringing on Kevin McLeod for full-back Gino Padula in the second half.

However, it was Ashton who looked likely to add to the scoring, drilling a 25-yard effort wide of the left post in the 59th minute. The home side then grew increasingly frustrated and had Paul Furlong and Martin Rowlands cautioned.

After 65 minutes Best finally got a shot away but Ince saved. Adam Miller was brought and had a shot drift wide with 20 minutes remaining.

Shittu crashed in a header off the post from Miller's corner after 81 minutes - but Crewe held on.

Teams:

QPR Day, Bignot, Shittu, Edghill, Padula (McLeod 54), Rowlands, Bircham (Miller 65), Gallen, Cook (Ainsworth 63), Best, Furlong.

Subs Not Used: Cole, Bean.

Booked: Furlong, Rowlands.

Goals: Shittu 81.

Crewe Ince, Otsemobor, Foster, Walker, Moses, Lunt, Sorvel, Bell (Cochrane 87), Vaughan, Ashton (White 90), Rivers (Varney 79).

Subs Not Used: Williams, McCready.

Booked: Rivers, Moses.

Goals: Walker 39, Rivers 45.

Att: 15,770

Ref: C Penton (Sussex).