First-half strikes from Patrick Agyemang and Rowan Vine secured all three points for big-spending QPR in their Championship clash against Barnsley at Loftus Road.

Agyemang latched on to Dexter Blackstock's cross to head home from six yards early on, before Vine netted from close range in the closing stages of the half to put the hosts into a commanding position at the break.

And despite the best efforts of a resilient Tykes after the restart, Rangers, who have spent in the region of £5million in the transfer window, held on for victory to put some breathing space between themselves and those in the drop zone.

Resurgent Rangers went into the clash looking for their third win in four league games while Barnsley, in contrast, had not tasted victory in their last seven attempts.

And the encounter was merely five minutes old when Agyemang handed the hosts a dream start, converting Blackstock's left-wing cross to register his second goal for the club since his move from Preston.

Rangers nearly doubled their advantage eight minutes later when Fitz Hall headed Akos Buzsaky's corner narrowly wide from 12 yards.

But Barnsley weathered the early storm and Brian Howard came close to his 11th goal of the season when he drilled a 35-yard free-kick the wrong side of keeper Lee Camp's post after 18 minutes.

Yet it was Michael Coulson who wasted the best chance to draw the visitors level when he headed wide from six yards shortly after.

Howard again tried his luck from distance midway through the half but the Tykes could not find their way past a bullish home defence.

And they were made to pay when former Birmingham marksman Vine converted Agyemang's inviting cross in injury time to hand Rangers a comfortable half-time lead.

But the visitors showed their determination to get back into the game almost immediately after the restart as Jamal Campbell-Ryce saw his drilled effort superbly tipped around a post by Camp.

Barnsley boss Simon Davey decided a new approach was also needed and introduced strikers Istvan Ferenczi and Kayode Odejayi for Diego Leon and Coulson.

Yet it was Mikele Leigertwood who almost put the game beyond their reach with a great shot from the edge of the penalty area that Tykes keeper Heinz Muller did well to push away to safety.

Odejayi almost made the desired impact for the visitors shortly after his introduction, but he could only watch as his close-range header drifted narrowly wide of a post.

Both sides looked capable of adding to the scoreline as the game entered the closing stages and it was Rangers midfielder Martin Rowlands who almost added a third for the hosts with a long-range effort that flew just wide.

Campbell-Ryce tried his luck with six minutes remaining but it was to no avail as the hosts held on to move within one point of their opponents.

Teams:

QPR Camp, Delaney, Connolly, Stewart (Lee 84), Hall (Mancienne 79), Buzsaky, Rowlands, Leigertwood, Agyemang, Vine, Blackstock (Ephraim 89).

Subs Not Used: Crowther, Balanta.

Goals: Agyemang 5, Vine 45.

Barnsley Muller, Hassell, Van Homoet, Foster, Tininho, Campbell-Ryce, Howard, Coulson (Odejayi 55), Devaney (Ricketts 70), Leon (Ferenczi 54), Souza.

Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Togwell.

Att: 16,197

Ref: Richard Beeby (Northamptonshire).