Heidar Helguson bagged a brace and Hogan Ephraim notched a late third, as Rangers chalked up a vital victory at a rain-soaked Bloomfield Road.

The Icelandic international bagged a goal in each half, the second from the penalty spot, before Ephraim capped a vintage away day with a third in added time.

Following hot on the heels of a stunning 2-0 win at Derby County in their last Championship outing, Rangers registered back-to-back away wins to move within touching distance of the play-off's.

If anything, the final scoreline flattered the hosts, who played second fiddle to Paulo Sousa's side throughout the 90 minutes.

More significantly perhaps, the 3-0 win extended the R's unbeaten run to seven matches in the Championship and lifted them level on points with sixth place Cardiff City.

R's boss Sousa was forced into two changes for the trip to Bloomfield Road.

From the side that eased to victory at Pride Park ten days ago, Radek Cerny (hamstring) and Martin Rowlands (knee) were both ruled out, which meant Lee Camp and debutant Liam Miller came into the starting XI.

Teenage goalkeeper Niki-Lee Bulmer was named amongst the R's substitutes for the first time, alongside Fitz Hall, Dexter Blackstock, Samuel Di Carmine and Ephraim.

Former R's front-man Danny Nardiello missed out against his former Club, as loan signing DJ Campbell continued in attack alongside Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

Buoyed by a partisan, if relatively small home crowd, it was the Seasiders who began on the front foot.

The match was only seven minutes old when left sided midfielder Joe Martin got goalside of Matt Connolly, only for DJ Campbell to miscue his effort from an acute angle, flicking the ball in to the arms of the grateful Camp.

Rangers were by no means second best though, with Wayne Routledge linking up effectively with Miller, only for the lush Bloomfield Road playing surface to prevent the roaming midfielder getting the ball out of his feet as Blackpool's back four backed off.

The R's weren't to be denied though, as that man Routledge played provider for Helguson to fire home a 17th minute opener.

The move had Premiership quality stamped all over it, as Helguson fizzed a first time ball into the path of the R's winger, who in turn took one touch to set himself before repaying the compliment with an expert back-post cross.

Icelandic international Helguson did the rest, sending Paul Rachubka the wrong way with a trademark downward header, for his fourth goal in QPR colours.

The Seasiders responded well to the setback, however, with first David Vaughan and then Campbell stinging the palms of the returning Camp.

At the other end, stand-in skipper Gavin Mahon was the next to try his luck from distance, firing wide from 25-yards following another fine forward burst from the lively Miller.

Rachubka was enduring some nervy moments in the Blackpool goal and when Lee Cook's fierce free-kick kicked up off the lush green grass, the Seasiders stopper gathered at the second attempt.

Rangers' out-ball into the path of Routledge was working to devastating effect and when the former Villa ace left three defenders trailing in his wake with a unbelievable burst of pace in the 40th minute, Cook played in Helguson, only for the offside flag to come to Blackpool's rescue.

There was no doubting the R's superiority, as the two sides left the field at half-time with the visitors deservedly in front.

Caretaker Manager Tony Parkes responded by introducing Middlesbrough loanee Graeme Owens at the start of the second period, with the out-of-sorts Joe Martin making way.

But it was Rangers who continued to pose the greater attacking threat, with Mikele Leigertwood's deft chip landing just the wrong side of the post with Rachubka seemingly stranded.

Sousa made his first change a minute later, with Miller - starved of recent First Team football following his January move from Sunderland - replaced by Ephraim.

Just 60 seconds later, the R's made it two.

Helguson's persistence inside the box paid dividends and when former Rangers defender Ian Evatt dived in to send his spiralling to ground, referee Mr Laws was left with little option but to point to the spot.

The former Bolton ace was coolness personified thereafter, as he picked himself up, dusted himself down and sent Rachubka the wrong way with a low right footed strike.

Rangers were rampant and Routledge could and perhaps should have made it three just after the hour mark, as his pace and trickery left Harte again chasing shadows, only for Rachubka to save two identical efforts in as many minutes.

It was vintage Rangers by now and when Cook sprung the offside trap following another excellent burst from Leigertwood, the winger made good ground before dragging his effort narrowly wide.

Man of the moment Helguson made way for Blackstock with a quarter of an hour to go, with the 202 hardy souls who made the long trip north giving him the standing ovation he rightly deserved.

Bad turned to worse for the hosts, when substitute Stephen Crainey came off second best in a challenge with Routledge and having made all three substitutions, the Seasiders were forced to play the final 13 minutes with just ten men.

Undeterred, Taylor-Fletcher fired wide from a tight angle, before Camp expertly from David Fox.

It was Rangers who finished in the ascendancy though, when Blackstock - who just seconds earlier had vocal appeals for a penalty turned down - saw his deflected effort cannon off the underside of the bar.

Seconds later following another free-flowing counter-attack, Ephraim's low effort was tipped away by Rachubka, but he wasn't to be denied.

Cook picked up possession in the middle of the park and slid a perfect through ball into the path of the diminutive winger, who made no mistake, confidently sliding the ball in to the far corner to complete the rout.

Blackpool: Rachubka, Evatt, O'Donovan (Nemeth 59), Campbell, Vaughan, Taylor-Fletcher, Fox, Martin (Owens 46), Edwards, Barker, Harte (Crainey 66).

Subs: Gilks, Baptiste.

Scorers:

Bookings:

Red Cards:

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Leigertwood, Routledge, Gorkss, Connolly (Hall 88), Cook, Miller (Ephraim 55), Helguson (Blackstock 74).

Subs: Bulmer, Di Carmine.

Scorers: Helguson 17 & 58 (pen), Ephraim 91

Bookings: Cook 62, Routledge 84

Red Cards:

Referee: Mr G Laws

Attendance: 6, 656 (202 away)