An incredibly spirited QPR went down 2-1 at Preston this afternoon as the hosts gate-crashed the play-offs at the expense of Cardiff City.

In a frantic match from start to finish, the hosts drew first blood through Jon Parkin just before the break, but ex-Lilywhite Patrick Agyemang drew matters level early in the second half with his second goal of the season.

As the game wore on, the hosts pushed for an oh-so-crucial second and it came with 16 minutes to spare from Sean St Ledger.

It proved to be the goal that put the Lilywhites in sixth spot, with Cardiff dropping to seventh position.

The R's visited a Preston side who held a firm belief from the off that they could make the play-offs this afternoon, although the hosts knew victory was a necessity if that top-six dream was to be realised.

Gareth Ainsworth's side lined-up in next season's all-new 'Dennis the Menace' away strip, with red and black hooped shirts, red socks, and red and black hooped socks.

Although with little to play for in terms of league positioning, with former Lilywhite Ainsworth at the helm, the home fans inside Deepdale knew their side wouldn't be granted any favours.

The R's lined up with Radek Cerny in goal, while with Damion Stewart unavailable (foot), Damien Delaney, Kaspars Gorkss, Matt Connolly and Peter Ramage made up the back four.

Mikele Leigertwood and Gavin Mahon were in the centre of park, with Hogan Ephraim on the left and Wayne Routledge on the right.

Rowan Vine was joined in attack by former Preston striker Patrick Agyemang.

On eight minutes it was the hosts who created the first chance of the game.

Paul McKenna's free-kick from the left found Billy Jones in acres of space at the far post, but his header was well blocked by the out-stretched leg of Leigertwood.

Considering the room he was afforded, Jones will have been disappointed not to have done better in a game of such magnitude for the hosts.

Surprisingly there were plenty of empty seats inside Deepdale, but the Preston supporters that were in attendance made plenty of noise in the opening stages in a bid to lift their team.

At the other end of pitch, Leigertwood was given room to move forward and, encouraged by the R's faithful behind the goal he was approaching, the QPR midfielder let fly with a stunning strike from 25 yards which flew inches wide of Andy Lonergan's far upright.

Seconds later, Routledge broke down the right before pulling the ball back into the path of Vine, but the latter was unable to make a good connection, and his effort was easily gathered by the relieved Preston keeper.

In a frantic opening, the hosts spread the ball from left to right on the edge of the R's box in the 14th minute before Chris Sedgwick rifled home with his left foot. The Preston fans were delirious - until they saw the linesman's flag, which rightly ruled the effort out!

Last season Agyemang and Vine seemed to have a telepathic understanding, and that was evident once again this afternoon in what, incredibly, was their first appearance together this season. You can't help but wonder what might have been had this pairing been available throughout the campaign.

On 32 minutes, Simon Whaley saw his deflected effort from 20 yards loop over Cerny in the R's goal but, thankfully for the visitors, it also cleared the bar.

QPR's approach to the match certainly didn't suggest it was an end-of-season fixture of limited importance; their commitment, effort and work-rate was more than equal to that of their play-off chasing opponents.

And they managed to pin Preston in their own half for periods, much to the frustration of the home fans.

But on 37 minutes Jon Parkin gave the Deepdale masses the goal they craved after a terrible mix-up between Cerny and Gorkss.

The R's stopper took a quick goal kick to the Latvian but, under pressure, the R's centre back played it back to his keeper but it was underhit, and Parkin was able to intercept before slamming home from the tightest of angles.

Gorkss - who has had an outstanding first season with QPR - was left with his head in his hands on the turf as the Lilywhites celebrated.

The noise levels around Deepdale were lifted, and the R's were forced to hang on as Alan Irvine's men went in search of a second.

Sean St Ledger saw his effort fly over while Whaley looked certain to score after a goalmouth scramble in the six-yard box presented him with a fantastic opportunity, but his poor shot dribbled into the path of Cerny.

The hosts went in 1-0 up at the break, but with Burnley 2-0 to the good at home to Bristol City, Preston's focus at this stage of the afternoon was on Cardiff, who were drawing 0-0 at Sheffield Wednesday.

As things stood, the Lilywhites would miss out on the play-offs by a solitary point.

Meanwhile, Ainsworth's focus would have been on lifting his troops after finding themselves undeservedly behind following a spirited display in the first half.

And the R's so nearly levelled two minutes after the re-start. Ephraim's trickery down the left caused mayhem in the Preston backline, before the former West Ham man slid in Agyemang.

Preston waited for an offside flag that never arrived and, with time to pick his spot, former Lilywhite Agyemang's shot was blocked and cleared for a corner.

Moments later Ephraim himself blazed over, and it was evident the R's were determined to get themselves back into this match and end the season positively.

And on 56 minutes they did precisely that. The Vine/Agyemang combination was once again in evidence as the former slid through for the latter, and Agyemang slammed home from 14 yards to haunt his former Club.

Preston, to their credit, came straight back at the R's, and the visitors were grateful to Cerny for clawing the ball to safety to deny St Ledger.

QPR had to deal with a flurry of corners as the hosts desperately bid to restore their lead. The pairing of Mahon and Leigertwood were instrumental as they did their bit to offer protection to the back four.

This included Leigertwood taking a ball to the face from close range by Sedgwick. Typically, Leigertwood wiped his brow and got on with the match, despite a collective groan from the crowd who clearly felt his pain.

Suddenly a roar went round the stadium - and it didn't take a genius to work out why. The Owls had taken the lead against Cardiff. A goal now would lift Preston into the top six.

But the R's had no intention of lying down.

The noise around Deepdale was deafening as the hosts won a freekick on the edge of the QPR box. Paul McKenna stepped up, but his low drive cannoned off the wall and went wide.

The R's had more than matched their opponents, but now were coming under expected pressure. Cerny and Co. held firm, to the clear frustration of the Lilywhites.

But on 74 minutes, St Ledger headed a crucial goal for Preston. A long throw-in from the right by Parkin was flicked beyond the reach of Cerny, and St Ledger was there to head home, despite Connolly's desperate attempt to clear from under the bar.

As things stood, Preston were taking sixth place from Cardiff.

With Rangers under increased pressure, Angelo Balanta was brought on for Mahon on 82 minutes in a bid by Ainsworth to force the hosts back.

And it seemed to work as the Colombian immediately won a corner, although the R's were unable to capitalise.

Late on, Connolly's header was cleared off the line to deny a late, late leveller for a determined QPR side.

At the final whistle, the home fans invaded the pitch in celebration, while Rangers' supporters rightly applauded the R's players for a fantastic effort.

PRESTON: Lonergan, Mawene, Sedgwick, Carter, St Ledger, Whaley (Nicholson, 79), McKenna, Jones, Parkin (Elliott, 86), Nolan, Mellor (Brown, 61).

Subs Not Used: Chilvers, Neal

Goals: Parkin (37), St Ledger (74)

Bookings: Jones (19), St Ledger (29),

QPR: Cerny, Mahon (Balanta, 82), Delaney, Vine, Gorkss, Leigertwood, Connolly, Routledge, Ramage, Agyemang (German, 75), Ephraim.

Subs Not Used: Hall, Cole, Alberti

Bookings: Leigertwood( 32), Connolly (89)

Goals: Agyemang (57)

Referee: Mr M Oliver

Attendance: 18,264