In an evenly-matched contest, a resilient Barnsley side narrowly stole the points against an equally as hard-working QPR side.

In a match of few chances, Rangers could count themselves unlucky not to return south with at least a point, after Damien Delaney cancelled out an early Daniel Bogdanovic header. But Anderson de Silva fired home from close range to give the Reds a somewhat fortuitous win.

It could all have been so different had Dexter Blackstock's well-struck shot on the turn crept inside the post instead of just wide.

Finishing strongly - and buoyed by a very vocal away support - Rangers could not find a way past a determined Barnsley back-line and had to give up the points for only a third time under Paulo Sousa.

Knowing Rangers had to return to winning ways, Manager Sousa decided he needed extra firepower up front. Step forward R's leading hit-man Blackstock.

Just behind him, Icelander Heidar Helguson took up position just in front of a midfield quartet of Wayne Routledge, Liam Miller, Mikele Leigertwood - who donned the captain's armband - and Matteo Alberti.

In goal, Radek Cerny retained his starting jersey, whilst his defence consisted of Damion Stewart and Kaspars Gorkss at centre half, with Matt Connolly on the right, and Delaney taking up position on the left.

For Barnsley, on-loan Liverpool youngster Adam Hammill made his home debut, joining fellow loan stars Michael Mifsud and Andranik Teymourian, from Coventry City and Fulham respectively, in the 11.

It was the visitors who fashioned the first real chance of the match. When Connolly found Routledge on the left, the winger's early cross to the feet of Blackstock meant the big striker could turn and fire of a snap-shot. He lacked any real power to worry home keeper Heinz Muller however.

The hosts thought otherwise, and went close themselves some minutes later. A Hammill free-kick fizzed through a crowd before finding its way to Mifsud, who swivelled, shot, and watched as his effort cleared the cross-bar.

Blackstock, who failed to garner enough power on his first attempt, had no such problems with his second.

When Miller sent a deep cross onto the head of Helguson, the Iceland international nodded back to Blackstock, who held off his man and struck a well-hit strike on the turn. Unfortunately, it flew inches wide of the left-hand post.

Spurred on by nearly going a goal down, Barnsley took the initiative and took the lead themselves on 27 minutes.

Hammill broke in midfield and fed Mifsud who looked up, spotted his fellow countryman Bogdanovic and delivered an inch perfect cross for the Maltese striker to angle a header down and beyond Cerny.

The lead lasted all of eight minutes as Rangers equalised with a well-worked goal. Alberti skipped a challenge down the left, drove on and delivered a beautiful cross to the near post where it found an unlikely hero in Delaney to steal and touch it home.

Eager to regain the lead, the Reds went searching for a second. A Bobby Hassell long throw was punched by Cerny into the path of Teymourian who hooked an effort goalward, trying to catch the R's keeper out, but only succeeding in steering it wide.

Barnsley did take the lead minutes before half-time. A cross into the Rangers box from the right was not cleared and Anderson was on hand to smash the ball home.

In the second half, Barnsley picked where they'd left off, with Anderson in particular buoyed by his goal. But when Bogdanovic found Teymourian in space, the man from Iran had no hesitation in blazing wide from 20 yards.

Another chance came and went, this time Hammill drawing a save out of Cerny after a fine, mazy dribble.

With the second half ten minutes old, Sousa introduced Romone Rose, moving Alberti to the middle and taking off Miller. Rose, who made his Rangers debut in the FA Cup against Burnley this season, was making his League debut today.

On 69 minutes, Sousa made his second change, taking off Alberti and giving the impressive travelling support a first glimpse of Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez, who was making his debut.

Some neat football from Barnsley nearly saw Mifsud add another goal following a fine pass from Hugo Colace, but Stewart removed the danger with an expert block.

Samuel Di Carmine replaced the industrious Helguson, but still Rangers could not find a way through a spirited Red wall, and it remained 2-1 to the home side.

Barnsley: Muller, Hassell, Kozluk, Colace, Foster, Hammill (Devaney 83), Bogdanovic (Macken 65), Teymourian, Anderson, Souza, Mifsud.

Subs: Steele, El Haimour, Rigters.

Goals: Bogdanovic (26), Anderson (43)

Bookings: Anderson (84)

Sendings Off:

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Blackstock, Gorkss, Connolly, Miller (Rose 55), Alberti (Lopez 69), Helguson (Di Carmine 80).

Subs: Mahon, Hall.

Goals: Delaney (35)

Bookings:

Sendings Off:

Referee: Mr R Shoebridge

Attendance: 11,640