QPR loan signing Rob Steiner grabbed the vital goal in their relegation clash with Oxford.

Steiner, signed for a month's loan from Bradford for his second spell at Loftus Road this season, snatched the winner just seconds into the second half.

Gavin Peacock played a clever overhead kick into Steiner's path and when he eventually gained control he let fly with a shot which keeper Paul Gerrard got a hand to but could not prevent bobbling into the net.

The first half had been a tense, tight affair with few chances for eitherside.

Rangers' 18-year-old Leon Jeanne, in only his second start, caused all sorts of problems with his pace and he put Kevin Gallen in after just 30 seconds only for the striker to shoot across the face of goal.

Gallen had another effort well blocked by Oxford defender Mark Watson while at the other end Joey Beauchamp was proving a thorn in Rangers' side, firstly having a penalty claim turned down after George Kulcsar's challenge, then forcing a good save from Ludek Miklosko with a dipping 30-yard drive.

Nicky Banger shot just wide on 38 minutes while three minutes later Dean Windass managed to get round the keeper and chip goalwards only for Matthew Rose to clear off the line.

Steiner almost put Peacock in the clear for Rangers only for Gerrard to come out quickly and hack clear while after the tall striker had put Rangers in front, it was the home side who looked more likely to score again.

Gallen and Steiner combined on 63 minutes only for the former to have his shot well saved while moments later Karl Ready put Gallen clear but he shot straight at the keeper.

As the game wore on Rangers, who had not won since Boxing Day, grew increasingly nervous and Oxford threw on striker Andy Thomson to try and grab an equaliser.

Beauchamp tested Miklosko again after 74 minutes with a vicious shot but their best chance came five minutes later when Gallen lost the ball in midfield and Windass stormed through on goal only for Rose to make a brilliant saving tackle.

Rangers held on though and they almost grabbed a second in injury-time when Paul Murray broke down the right and squared it for Gallen to tap in from three yards only for the striker to completely miss his kick.

Teams

QPR: Miklosko, Breacker, Baraclough, Rose, Ready, Maddix (Plummer 44), Kulcsar, Peacock, Steiner, Gallen,Jeanne (Murray 87).

Subs Not Used: Dowie.

Booked: Breacker, Jeanne.

Goals: Steiner 46.

Oxford Utd: Gerrard, Robinson, Remy (Murphy 81), Gray, Watson, Gilchrist, Banger, Tait, Francis (Thomson 66), Windass,Beauchamp.

Subs Not Used: Rose.

Booked: Watson.

Att: 9,040

Ref: B Coddington (Sheffield).