Gillingham moved a step closer to Championship safety by holding QPR to a draw that has probably ended the Hoops' slim chances of a play-off place.

Paul Furlong's second-half strike cancelled out Michael Flynn's 18th-minute opener, but Rangers were denied a winner by Gills 'keeper Jason Brown - in superb form - and their own poor finishing.

Gillingham must be given credit for their tremendous work-rate, and they have not lost away from home since a 2-0 defeat at Watford on February 5.

It was QPR who created the first chance of the match, Lee Cook collecting Georges Santos' pass before running at the visitors' back four and unleashing a 20-yard shot that went just over the bar.

But Gillingham were gifted the opening goal in the 17th minute.

Dan Shittu failed to control a hopeful through-ball from James McEveley, allowing Flynn to take possession just inside the QPR half.

The former Wigan player evaded two Rangers defenders and slid the ball calmly under the body of goalkeeper Simon Royce.

Rangers almost equalised instantly, but Brown did brilliantly to tip over Furlong's first-time effort from Cook's low left-wing cross.

Kevin Gallen came close again for the home side three minutes before the break, spinning away from Nyron Nosworthy but shooting over from a difficult angle.

Just before the interval, Mamady Sidibe got away from Shittu and rolled the ball across the six-yard box, but there was no Gills player on hand to turn it home.

Rangers manager Ian Holloway moved Gallen back into midfield for the second half, with Georges Santos joining Furlong in attack.

The tactical switch gave the home side greater poise - and they levelled the match in the 54th minute.

Cook's excellent cross from the left was met with an equally fine finish by Furlong, who guided the ball into the bottom-right corner from close range for his 18th goal of the season.

A minute later Rangers defender Andrew Davies had almost miscued a clearance into his own net, QPR somehow failed to take the lead.

Santos' left-foot shot brought a magnificent stop from Brown, and the follow-up attempts from Gallen and the recalled Adam Miller were cleared off the line by the desperate Gills defence.

Gills striker Darius Henderson was then fortunate to be shown only a yellow card by referee Phil Joslin for shoving Furlong to the ground as the visitors prepared to take a free kick.

Teams:

QPR Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Davies, Rose, Miller (Baidoo 90), Bircham, Santos, Cook, Gallen, Furlong (Cureton 77).

Subs Not Used: Day, Padula, Bailey.

Goals: Furlong 54.

Gillingham Brown, Nosworthy, Hope, Cox, McEveley, Southall, Smith, Douglas, Flynn, Sidibe, Henderson (Byfield 82).

Subs Not Used: Hills, Crofts, Jarvis, Banks.

Booked: Douglas, Henderson.

Goals: Flynn 17.

Att: 16,431

Ref: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).