Billy Jones scored moments before half-time to give Crewe a slender first-half advantage against QPR.

Eddie Johnson had given the home side the lead, but QPR hit back thanks to quick-fire goals from Lee Cook and Shabazz Baidoo.

Luke Varney, who replaced the injured Johnson, then quickly made his mark to bring Crewe level before Jones struck to cap an action-packed opening 45 minutes.

The home side carved out an opening inside the opening minute but Johnson sent his right-footed volley wide of Simon Royce's goal.

QPR hit back quickly and Ross Turnbull in the Crewe goal had to be on his toes to keep out a long-range effort from Baidoo just two minutes later.

Baidoo threatened again moments later, but was again denied by Turnbull as both sides contributed fully to an entertaining opening spell.

Royce had to be at his absolute best after 10 minutes as he somehow denied Johnson, brilliantly parrying the Crewe striker's fiercely-struck shot.

QPR's Martin Rowland then fired a shot over the crossbar, but moments later the home side were ahead through the dangerous Johnson.

Gary Roberts found Johnson who kept his cool to slot the ball past Royce after 15 minutes.

To make matters worse for the visitors, they were forced into a change just five minutes later when midfielder Marc Bircham was injured. He was replaced by Gareth Ainsworth.

But QPR continued to push for an equaliser with Richard Langley having a goal-bound shot blocked and then the same player firing over the crossbar from 20 yards.

Play continued to switch from end to end, though, and Royce was again called into action to deal with a 25-yard shot from Steve Jones 11 minutes before the interval.

But it was the visitors who then struck with a double whammy to turn the game on its head.

Cook levelled with a neat left-foot finish after 35 minutes and just over a minute later Baidoo steered the ball home to put QPR ahead and stun Crewe.

The home side were also forced to make a change before the interval with Varney replacing Johnson.

And Varney made a swift impact as within a couple of minutes of coming on he latched onto a pass from Jones to fire home the equaliser after 39 minutes.

Jones then had the final say with a close-range finish just before the half-time whistle.

Teams

Crewe Turnbull, Tonkin (Rodgers 69), McCready, Foster, Moss, Vaughan, Billy Jones, Lunt, Gary Roberts, Johnson (Varney 37), Steve Jones.

Subs Not Used: Tomlinson, Rix, Walker.

Booked: Billy Jones.

Goals: Johnson 15, Varney 39, Billy Jones 45.

QPR Royce, Rose, Santos (Milanese 69), Shittu, Bignot, Cook, Rowlands, Bircham (Ainsworth 21), Langley, Nygaard (Furlong 69), Baidoo.

Subs Not Used: Moore, Donnelly.

Goals: Cook 35, Baidoo 37, Rowlands 57, Langley 81.

Att: 5,687

Ref: K Wright (Cambridgeshire).