Nine-man Rangers succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at The Liberty Stadium.

Skipper Martin Rowlands and fellow central midfielder Ben Watson both saw red for two bookable offences, before late goals from Mark Gower and Lee Trundle left the R's contemplating a first defeat in seven.

It was tough on Jim Magilton's men, who prior to the double dismissal, were more than a match for Paulo Sousa's side, with Jay Simpson and Wayne Routledge each squandering opportunities to opening the scoring.

After a magnificent performance against table-topping Newcastle in midweek, R's boss Magilton unsurprisingly named a replica starting XI for the trip to Sousa's Swansea.

So, with Radek Cerny in goal, Gary Borrowdale, Kaspars Gorkss, Damion Stewart and Mikele Leigertwood made up Rangers' back four.

In midfield, Akos Buzsaky and Routledge occupied the flanks alongside skipper Rowlands and Watson, who was of course, goalscorer at St. James' Park on Wednesday evening.

Deadly duo Rowan Vine and Simpson led the attack for the R's.

There was one change on the bench, though, as Gavin Mahon came back into the Rangers fold at the expense of Patrick Agyemang.

Going into the match unbeaten in six matches, Rangers started the better as they looked to continue that good run of form at a blustery Liberty Stadium.

Good link-up play between Simpson and Leigertwood enabled the latter to drive a low centre across the face of goal, but Ashley Williams cleared the ball out for a corner.

And, after Watson's cross was only cleared as far as Rowlands, the R's captain fed Buzsaky some 25-yards from goal - though the Magical Magyar's delightful effort landed on the roof of the net.

This was great early pressure from the visitors, as they looked to get a foothold in the game.

Soon after, Rangers should have been a goal to the good. After a splendid pass from Gorkss found Simpson, he touched the ball on just past halfway to Routledge.

Typically running at the defence, the tricky winger continued to drive at the Swans rearguard before unleashing a low shot on goal that just faded past Dorus de Vries' right-hand post.

At the other end, it was the hosts who had their first real opportunity of the affair, and after Angel Rangel expertly crossed for Scott Dobbie, Stewart superbly blocked his effort away to safety.

Though moments later, the R's - who continued to look devastating going forward - probably should have taken the lead.

After a home corner, Rangers broke at pace and Buzsaky found Routledge, who played the ball onto Simpson. The young striker then drove into the area, though could only drag a shot wide.

In truth, the game was becoming somewhat of a lacklustre affair, as both sides seemed intent on cancelling each other out with chances at a premium.

Moments later, however, Swansea did have another unlikely chance to find the goal, but Darren Pratley could only flash his effort wide.

When the teams re-emerged for the second period, it's fair to say that Rangers would have looked to improve on their first-half display - and they did just that.

Only minutes had passed in fact, when after Watson's sublime corner found Gorkss, the Latvian defender headed high and wide of the goal when under pressure at the back post.

The momentum was beginning to swing Rangers' way, not least when only a stunning save at point-blank range prevented Simpson from finding the net, after another superb set-piece from Watson.

The R's were now having chances aplenty - and moments later, Routledge missed what can only be described as a guilt-edged chance.

After Rangers again broke at pace down the left through Vine, the R's frontman cut in past his marker and fed Routledge.

The midfielder took one touch to move the ball to his right, effectively dummying two defenders in one movement, only to be denied by the outstretched right arm of de Vries with the net ready to bulge.

However, that miss proved costly, when from the next passage of play, Rowlands sent Dyer sprawling to ground. He was shown a second yellow card, which resulted in a red.

Buoyed by the R's misfortune, the Swans looked eager to make their extra-man advantage count, and only a fine save from Cerny prevented Pratley from opening the scoring.

To be fair to Magilton, he stuck to his guns, opting to play a 4-3-1-1 formation following the introduction of Alejandro Faurlin for Vine.

However, for all their endeavour, Rangers were helpless to prevent the home side from taking the lead in the 74th minute.

Receiving the ball down the right, full-back Angel Rangel played a teasing cross into the back post for Gower - and the unmarked Swansea midfielder made no mistake thereafter, driving in low past Cerny from close range.

It was a goal that proved a bit of a blow to Rangers who, after coming out the better in the second half, found themselves a goal down.

Though, to their credit, Rangers did continue to press the home side and soon after, Leigertwood's attempt went straight at de Vries.

Unfortunately, however, Rangers' chances of grabbing that all-important equaliser were banished when Watson, after slipping and handling the ball, was shown his second yellow card and given his marching orders.

Nine-man Rangers didn't give up, though. And after a great ball from Leigertwood over the top to the newly-introduced Adel Taarabt, he could only blast high and wide of the goal.

But for all their hard work, it was Swansea who had the last laugh. And when Nathan Dyer squared for Trundle, the Swans loanee tapped into an empty net.

Swansea City: de Vries, Williams, Tate, Britton, Pratley (Lopez 86), Dyer, Dobbie (Beattie 72), Monk, Rangel, Gower, Butler (Trundle 61).

Subs not used: Orlandi, van der Gun, Cornell, Richards.

Scorers: Gower (74), Trundle (85)

Bookings: Gower (74)

QPR: Cerny, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Vine (Faurlin 61), Buzsaky (Taarabt 76), Gorkss, Rowlands, Watson, Simpson (Pellicori 76), Borrowdale.

Subs not used: Ramage, Mahon, Heaton, Ephraim.

Bookings: Rowlands (37 & 53), Gorkss (42), Watson (72 & 77)

Red Cards: Rowlands (53), Watson (77)

Referee: Mr K D Hill

Attendance: 14, 444 (602)