Darel Russell scored the only goal as relegation-threatened Norwich ended a run of seven Championship matches without a win at faltering QPR.

Russell notched the winner midway through the second half after being set up by Wes Hoolahan, who capitalised on a mix-up between Rangers defenders Kaspars Gorkss and Damion Stewart.

The Canaries also felt aggrieved not to have awarded a penalty in the first half after referee Graham Scott pointed to the spot when Lee Croft was upended by Jordi Lopez, but the Oxfordshire official changed his decision to a corner after consulting the linesman.

Rangers dominated for much of the game but were made to pay for some wasteful finishing as Norwich registered their first away win since they beat Nottingham Forest last November.

QPR have failed to win in six Championship games to lose further ground in their bid to secure a play-off place.

Rangers boss Paulo Sousa handed a full debut to Spanish midfielder Lopez, who recently arrived at Loftus Road after being released by Real Mallorca.

Norwich club captain Mark Fotheringham was not included in the 16 after boss Bryan Gunn took exception to his reaction to being substituted in Saturday's defeat against Coventry.

Russell replaced the former Celtic midfielder, while on-loan defender Ryan Bertrand returned from injury.

QPR have been out of sorts in recent weeks but they should have been in front in the first minute when Liam Miller found Heidar Helguson, whose shot flashed across the face of David Marshall's goal.

Lopez almost marked his first appearance at Loftus Road with a goal, but his free-kick fizzed wide of the post after nine minutes.

The home side were dominant, and Dexter Blackstock's shot was deflected over the bar after good work from Miller.

But there was a moment of controversy after 32 minutes when Lee Croft went down in the penalty area under a challenge from Lopez, and the referee pointed to the spot - before changing his decision to a corner.

The home side continued to ask questions of the Norwich defence early in the second half, Miller shooting over the bar from 20 yards.

Helguson spurned another chance to open the scoring when he headed over the bar from close range five minutes after the break.

Rangers midfielder Mikele Leigertwood tried his luck from distance, but Marshall made a comfortable save.

Sammy Clingan's long-range strike flashed wide at the other end, before Helguson missed another opportunity - heading wide from 12 yards out.

Norwich were in front after 67 minutes courtesy of some charitable defending from the home side.

Gorkss and Stewart were indecisive, and Hoolahan nipped in to dispossess the former - before squaring the ball for the onrushing Russell, who finished from 12 yards out.

Rangers threw everything at the visitors in the closing stages, Blackstock off target from close range after a scramble in the penalty area.

But Norwich held on to give Gunn his second victory since taking charge at Carrow Road.

Teams

QPR Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge,Blackstock, Gorkss (Hall 87), Connolly, Miller (Ephraim 69),Lopez, Helguson (Di Carmine 74).

Subs Not Used: Mahon, Alberti.

Norwich Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Croft, Clingan,Doherty, Hoolahan (Gow 70), Grounds, Russell, Bertrand, Cort.

Subs Not Used: Nelson, Carney, Lappin, McDonald.

Booked: Bertrand, Croft.

Goals: Bertrand 68.

Att: 13,533

Ref: Graham Scott (Devon).