Theo Walcott endured a frustrating afternoon on what could be his final game in a Southampton shirt as QPR grabbed all three points at Loftus Road.

The 16-year-old, who is believed to be on the verge of a big-money move to Arsenal, offered glimpses of his promise but smashed a glorious chance over the top with the goal gaping.

And Rangers showed they were in no mood to play the gracious hosts at his leaving party by claiming a deserved win courtesy of Richard Langley's first-half penalty, while at the other end Nigel Quashie missed from the spot for the Saints.

Walcott lined up on the left wing, although whether it proves to be his last appearance in a Saints shirt is thought to depend upon the Gunners' willingness to loan him back for the rest of the season.

Rangers right-back Marcus Bignot knew he was in for a busy afternoon and he was immediately called into action with a well-timed challenge as Walcott was about to motor past him.

Walcott floated the ensuing corner onto the head of Darren Powell and Bignot was forced to hack the ball clear on the line. Djamel Belmadi then fired wide after being teed up by Dexter Blackstock with Saints well on top.

However, Rangers got their noses in front when, in the 21st minute, Lee Cook's long-range shot was parried by Saints keeper Paul Smith.

As the ball looped into the air, Gareth Ainsworth was clumsily felled by Danny Higginbotham and Rangers were awarded a spot-kick.

Langley shrugged off the protests of the Saints players to coolly step up and send Smith the wrong way.

Rangers had the ball in the net again in the 34th minute, but Paul Furlong was in an offside position as he followed up another Cook piledriver.

Walcott's chance to leave Saints fans a parting gift came moments later when the ball fell to him on the edge of the penalty area. Rangers keeper Simon Royce saved his initial effort and as the ball sat up invitingly, English football's hottest property skewed his follow-up over the top.

George Burley threw on Ricardo Fuller at the break in place of another teenager, the ineffective Nathan Dyer, but the tall forward received little service as Saints continued to labour.

Spirits were briefly raised with one mesmerising Walcott cameo, leaving three defenders in his wake before feeding Quashie.

However, when the midfielder returned the ball, Walcott dwelt too long and failed to get his shot away.

Quashie then thumped a drive over the top before Walcott, with 14 minutes remaining, sped down the right and pulled the ball back across goal. Belmadi touched the ball to Quashie, who strode into the penalty area and hit the deck under pressure from Ainsworth and Steve Lomas.

But Quashie's spot-kick came back off Royce's left-hand post and Rangers cleared the rebound.

Georges Santos left the field on a stretcher late on, but Rangers held firm and actually missed the best chance of the closing stages when Smith saved from substitute Stefan Moore.

Teams:

QPR Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Santos (Taylor 78), Rose, Ainsworth (Donnelly 88), Lomas, Langley, Cook, Baidoo (Moore 84), Furlong.

Subs Not Used: Milanese, Evatt.

Goals: Langley 21 pen.

Southampton Smith, Lundekvam, Powell, Higginbotham, Dyer (Fuller 45), Quashie, Oakley, Belmadi, Prutton, Blackstock (Jones 68), Walcott.

Subs Not Used: Cranie, Bialkowski, Mills.

Booked: Powell.

Att: 15,494

Ref: M Jones (W Yorkshire).