Andy Cole's first hat-trick in over seven years sealed a remarkable turnaround as Burnley came from two goals down to beat QPR 4-2.

The home side dominated for long periods and Gavin Mahon and Patrick Agyemang, with his eighth goal in six games, had put them 2-0 up in the first half.

Cole scored his second goal in two games for Burnley following his loan move from Sunderland to give Owen Coyle's side hope before the break, before the former Manchester United striker and substitute Ade Akinbiyi struck after the interval to give the Clarets' play-off hopes a boost.

Akos Buzsaky drilled an early free-kick against the wall as the home side made an enterprising start and Hogan Ephraim then sent a long-range effort wide of Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen's post.

The in-form hosts went ahead after 14 minutes, Mahon heading home from close range after a neat move which culminated in Agyemang crossing for the former Watford midfielder.

Agyemang, enjoying a fine run of form since his January transfer from Preston, then fired wide from 25 yards.

The visitors finally sprung to life after 22 minutes, Icelandic midfielder Joey Gudjonsson sending a vicious 25-yard effort over the crossbar.

But with half an hour gone Agyemang struck, Damien Delaney bursting down the right from his full-back position and leaving the Ghana forward to finish from 12 yards.

Defender Zesh Rehman forced Jensen to parry a powerful long-range effort behind for a corner before Martin Rowlands was forced off with an injury to be replaced by Mikele Leigertwood.

Cole then pulled one back five minutes before half-time when he turned home Gudjonsson's free-kick.

Coyle threw on striker Akinbiyi at half-time in place of Robbie Blake to try and find an equaliser.

Ephraim wasted the first chance of the second half, shooting straight at Jensen when well placed on the edge of the box and a minute later the same player was again denied by the Danish shot-stopper.

After 56 minutes Cole grabbed his second, Akinbiyi whipping in a dangerous cross and the former England striker sent a crisp volley past Lee Camp from six yards.

That sparked the hosts into life and Buzsaky hit the wall with a free-kick before Delaney tested Jensen from 25 yards.

Rowan Vine shot wide from the edge of the area and at the other end Gudjonsson sent a 20-yard free-kick over the bar.

Leigertwood saw his long-range effort saved by Jensen, who was keeping the home side at bay.

Akinbiyi then punished the hosts for spurning a host of chances, Rangers defence failed to clear Wade Elliott's corner and Akinbiyi headed in from six yards with quarter of an hour remaining.

Cole then reacted quickest to Graham Alexander's 86th-minute free-kick to poke home from six yards and secure the match ball.

Teams:

QPR Camp, Connolly (Mancienne 90), Stewart, Rehman, Delaney,Buzsaky, Rowlands (Leigertwood 39), Mahon,Ephraim (Blackstock 68), Vine, Agyemang.

Subs Not Used: Pickens, Lee.

Booked: Leigertwood.

Goals: Mahon 14, Agyemang 30.

Burnley Jensen, Alexander, Caldwell, Varga, Harley, Elliott,Gudjonsson, James O'Connor (Spicer 90), Lafferty,Blake (Akinbiyi 46), Cole (Randall 89).

Subs Not Used: Kiraly, Jordan.

Booked: Varga.

Goals: Cole 41, 56, Akinbiyi 77, Cole 86.

Att: 13,410

Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).