Coca-Cola Championship leaders Sunderland produced a clinical second-half performance at QPR to make it seven wins in a row and take another step towards promotion.

Lucky to be only one goal down at the break, Mick McCarthy's men showed the importance of taking chances as Andy Welsh, substitute Chris Brown and Julio Arca all struck after the interval to cancel out Dan Shittu's first-half opener.

This result might have ended QPR's play-off hopes, and manager Ian Holloway will reflect on the opportunities his side squandered when on top.

Rangers always looked dangerous from set-pieces, and it took two fine clearances to deny them taking an early lead.

Dean Whitehead headed Lee Cook's right-wing corner off the line before Stephen Caldwell produced an equally-desperate header to deny Paul Furlong.

Sunderland went close at the other end through Whitehead's far-post header, but their marking was appalling from Martin Rowlands' 22nd-minute corner, allowing QPR to go ahead.

Shittu was left isolated at the far post and planted a header firmly beyond Thomas Myhre from eight yards.

Rowlands was forced off in the 31st minute when he fell awkwardly following a 50-50 challenge, and Dean Sturridge - a recent signing from Wolves - was sent on for his home debut.

Seconds before Sturridge's arrival, Sunderland should have equalised, but Carl Robinson headed Arca's excellent left-wing cross inches wide of goalkeeper Simon Royce's right post.

At the other end, Furlong's volley forced an excellent save from Myhre just before half-time, and Sunderland escaped again from Cook's resulting corner as Georges Santos' header was hacked off the line.

The visitors made the most of their good fortune to equalise in the first minute of the second half.

Marcus Bignot failed to head Stephen Wright's right-wing cross clear and the ball broke to Welsh, who sent a sweet volley into Royce's bottom-left corner from 10 yards.

Rangers did not let their spirits sink and Sturridge - who was later taken off with an apparent hamstring injury - set up Cook for a shot that Myhre pushed away, before the former Wolves man was prevented from shooting by Gary Breen's superb tackle.

And Breen's team took the lead with a terrific goal in the 63rd minute.

Marcus Stewart released Whitehead, who cut the ball back from the left for Brown - who had replaced Jeff Whitley and also scored in a recent win over Coventry after coming off the bench - to steer past Royce from 10 yards.

Sunderland put the result beyond doubt 15 minutes from time. Stewart's initial effort was blocked by Royce, but Arca rammed home the loose ball to seal victory.

Teams

QPR Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Davies, Padula, Rowlands (Sturridge 34), Santos, Bircham (Miller 87), Cook, Gallen, Furlong, Sturridge (Cureton 61).

Subs Not Used: Rossi, Baidoo.

Booked: Furlong, Cook.

Goals: Shittu 22.

Sunderland Myhre, Wright, Caldwell, Breen, Arca, Whitehead, Robinson, Whitley (Brown 42), Welsh (Danny Collins 58), Stewart (Thornton 77), Elliott.

Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Bridges.

Booked: Brown, Whitehead.

Goals: Welsh 46, Brown 63, Arca 75.

Att: 18,198

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).