Ken Bates slashed ticket prices at Elland Road but not even their biggest crowd of the season could inspire Leeds to a much-needed Coca-Cola Championship victory.

The United chairman chose to stay in his Monaco home rather than attend the game but his ticketing strategy paid off handsomely as almost 30,000 supporters turned up.

However, Dennis Wise's men were not so clever on the pitch and a dogged QPR outfit ensured that an evening which began with such optimism was concluded in bitterly frustrating fashion.

Leeds began brightly enough but failure to beat a Rangers side hammered 5-0 by Southend in their previous outing raises serious question marks about their survival pedigree.

And Wise's decision to substitute Robbie Blake, his side's most creative source, was baffling and ultimately cost Leeds any hope of clinching a priceless late winner.

Blake, playing just behind Richard Cresswell and David Healy in an adventurous 4-3-1-2 formation, was always a threat until his 72nd-minute substitution.

In the fourth minute, he collected a neat pass from Healy and hit a fierce low shot which required Damion Stewart to divert the ball out for a corner.

Moments later Healy sent over a deep cross but no team-mate was on hand to profit, and the Ulsterman then tried his luck with a low strike from 25 yards which whistled narrowly wide.

Rangers, who arrived at Elland Road with a dreadful record of five defeats in their last six matches, hardly did themselves any favours. Ill discipline threatened to cost them time and again as they gave away needless free-kicks which forced them on the back foot.

But, to their credit, John Gregory's men steadily gained a foothold on the game and should have led in the 14th minute.

Leeds defender Matt Heath inexplicably allowed Dexter Blackstock to steal possession and advance on goal where he found himself with only Casper Ankergren to beat.

However, the on-loan Brondby goalkeeper excelled himself with an improvised save with his feet before Leeds raced upfield and themselves came close.

Eddie Lewis whipped in a cross from the left but Healy's fierce 12-yard volley went askew as Rangers survived once again.

Leeds were dealt a blow in the 32nd minute as Alan Thompson was forced off with a calf injury and replaced by teenager Jonathan Howson.

But they continued to threaten and Healy's header required Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp - making his debut after joining on loan from Derby - to make a fine save.

And, on the stroke of half-time, Blake curled a delightful 20-yard free-kick just inches wide of a post.

Just three miutes after the break, the frustration continued for Leeds as Jonathan Douglas' pass released Healy.

The striker found himself with only Camp to beat but the Rangers debutant quickly rushed off his line to make another fine block.

QPR had their chances too and grew in confidence as the half wore on.

Adam Bolder hit a low right-foot shot which drew a smart stop from Ankergren shortly after the hour mark before Healy hit a brilliant diagonal effort against an upright.

Lee Cook was then denied by Ankergren while Wise's decision to replace Blake with on-loan Wolves striker Jemal Johnson made little difference as Leeds left the field to a chorus of boss.

Teams:

Leeds Ankergren, Armando Sa (Foxe 76), Rui Marques, Heath,Lewis, Blake (Johnson 72), Douglas, Thompson (Howson 32),Nicholls, Healy, Cresswell.

Subs Not Used: Stack, Moore.

Booked: Douglas, Foxe.

QPR Camp, Mancienne, Cullip, Stewart, Ainsworth, Lomas,Bolder, Timoska, Rowlands, Blackstock, Cook.

Subs Not Used: Cole, Kanyuka, Furlong, Ray Jones, Smith.

Booked: Timoska, Camp, Blackstock, Cullip.

Att: 29,593

Ref: T Bates (Staffordshire).