Paulo Sousa was sent to the stands as QPR's faint Coca-Cola Championship play-off hopes all but came to an end against Crystal Palace at Loftus Road.

Rangers' Portuguese boss, usually the coolest of customers on the touchline, lost his rag as an otherwise pedestrian encounter briefly came to life in first-half stoppage-time.

Sousa took exception to the treatment giant Palace defender Claude Davis was dishing out to striker Samuel Di Carmine and was ushered out of the dug-out by referee Scott Mathieson - despite opposite number Neil Warnock adopting the unusual role of peacemaker.

Palace are treading water in mid-table and have little to play for but they were in no mood to roll over, while Rangers' decision to loan leading scorer Dexter Blackstock to Nottingham Forest last week looks all the more perplexing after they drew another blank.

The Eagles did not manage a shot on target in the first half, so their fans killed time by booing Wayne Routledge's every touch.

But the ex-Palace winger almost rammed the taunts back down their throats with a superb reverse pass which let Liam Miller in on goal, only for Julian Speroni to keep out his effort at the near post.

Davis was fortunate not to be shown a card after his flailing arm felled Di Carmine after quarter of an hour, with referee Mathieson taking no action.

Spurs loanee Adel Taarabt was his usual box of tricks for Rangers, and he tested Speroni with a shot from outside the area after dancing past a couple of tame Palace tackles.

Speroni also did well to prevent an own-goal when Nathaniel Clyne diverted a cross towards his own net.

No-nonsense Eagles defender Clint Hill finally persuaded Mr Mathieson to get his card out of his pocket when he body-checked Routledge as the wideman threatened to burst through.

And tempers flared in stoppage time when Davis clattered Di Carmine again - this time earning a booking - and Sousa, having stepped onto the pitch to protest, was banished to the stands.

After the break chances suddenly came thick and fast, with Radek Cerny tipping over a stunning drive from Palace's teenage frontman Victor Moses and Jose Fonte heading narrowly over.

At the other end Di Carmine had a shot blocked after being put through by Taarabt and Routledge prodded Damien Delaney's cross wide.

Taarabt squandered a gilt-edged chance just before the hour when he raced onto Routledge's flick, only to fire over the top.

Rowan Vine came on to huge acclaim for Rangers towards the end for his first appearance in a year following a broken leg, but not even the former Birmingham striker could find a way through.

Teams:

QPR Cerny, Gorkss, Delaney, Ramage, Connolly, Leigertwood,Routledge, Miller (Cook 46), Ephraim, Taarabt (Vine 73), Di Carmine (Balanta 85).

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Alberti.

Crystal Palace Speroni, Lawrence, Davis, Clyne, Hill (Jose Fonte 40), Danns, Derry, Carle, Moses, Kuqi (Scowcroft 83), Stokes (Ifill 79).

Subs Not Used: Hills, Rui Fonte.

Booked: Hill, Davis, Lawrence, Moses.

Att: 15,234

Ref: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).