Kaspars Gorkss' late header clinched all three points for the R's, as Jim Magilton's side cemented their place in the top-six.

The Latvian international defender headed home eight minutes from time to cap another fine individual performance.

Earlier, Jay Simpson gave Rangers an early lead with his seven goal of the season, only for the Owls to draw level courtesy of Jermaine Johnson.

In truth, the R's could be thankful to second half substitute Alejandro Faurlin, whose introduction 22 minutes from time, proved pivotal in Rangers' late, late show.

R's chief Magilton made two changes from the side that drew 2-2 at home to Crystal Palace on Tuesday evening.

After coming down with a stomach bug, Gary Borrowdale was ruled out and replaced by Peter Ramage.

Elsewhere, Gavin Mahon returned after a hip injury in place of Faurlin.

There was positive news elsewhere too, as Matt Connolly took his place on the subs bench after a recent bout of Glandula Fever.

Radek Cerny started in goal for the R's.

Gorkss joined Fitz Hall in central defence, whilst Mikele Leigertwood and Ramage occupied the full-back positions.

Adel Taarabt and Akos Buzsaky began the game out wide, with Mahon and Ben Watson in the Rangers midfield engine room.

Wayne Routledge partnered Jay Simpson in attack.

Intent on maintaining their league position within the top six in the Coca-Coca Championship, Rangers - as is the norm these days - went on the attack from the first whistle.

After good work down the right from Mahon and Taarabt, the latter squared for Buzsaky on the edge of the area, but the Magical Magyar could only blast high and wide of the target.

The R's were enjoying far more possession on the ball, and were rewarded when they took a 10th minute lead.

Taarabt's sublime reverse through ball found Simpson, and the Arsenal loanee did the rest, calmly tucking the ball into the far corner with a fierce left-footed strike.

Buoyed by their goal Rangers could - and perhaps should - have made it two a couple of minutes later.

Taarabt was again involved, playing a precise pass into the path of Routledge who - with just the goalkeeper to beat - saw his right-footed effort cannon back off the left-hand post and out of play.

It proved to be a costly miss, when just two minutes later, Wednesday drew level.

Darren Potter fed Johnson down the left flank, and with the R's defence stretched, the pacy winger fired in off the far post.

The Owls were now having a greater say in the affair, and only a first-class save from Cerny could prevent them from taking the lead.

After a neat one-two between Marcus Tudgay and Luke Varney, the latter beat Hall before attempting to beat Cerny at his near post, but the Rangers goalkeeper was alert to tip the ball onto his right-hand upright and away to safety.

It proved a wake-up call to the R's, and when play switched to the other end, Ramage saw a looping header well caught by Lee Grant, after Ben Watson's initial blocked effort fell to the right-back on the edge of the box.

On the stroke of half-time, good build-up play from Rangers saw Taarabt slide a lovely through ball to put Routledge through on goal, but he could only fire straight at the onrushing Grant.

Having finished the first half the stronger of the two teams the R's - in truth - were on the back foot as the second period commenced.

The Owls nearly took the lead when Tommy Miller sent in a free-kick from the edge of the area, though thankfully for Rangers, his effort curled just wide.

Moments later, the R's had their first chance of the half when a scuffed clearance fell to the feet of Taarabt, but he could only drive straight at the side-netting.

It was an opportunity that seemed to rejuvenate Rangers and soon after, Simpson held off two men before sending in a driven effort at Grant.

This was an end-to-end encounter, proven when the Owls broke at pace and Miller saw his rasping effort clip the outside of Cerny's right-hand post before going out of play.

At the other end, a tussle between Simpson, the newly-introduced Faurlin and two Wednesday players saw the Argentinean come off the better, but he could only shoot straight at Grant.

Soon after the R's were again on the attack and missed undoubtedly their best chance of the half. Routledge beat his man superbly before sending a cross into the path of Watson, but the Wigan loanee could only flick agonisingly wide of the goal.

Rangers were now in the ascendancy, and only a last-ditch challenge from an Owls defender could prevent Taarabt from finding the target, after a neat pass from Mahon.

However, the R's weren't to be denied, and from the resulting corner kick, the all-important third goal of the contest arrived.

Substitute Faurlin - whose neat passing play made Rangers tick late on - curled in a delightful front-post cross, and Gorkss stooped to head home for his first league goal of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday: Grant, Spurr, Buxton, Hinds, Miller (McAllister 72), Tudgay, Potter, O'Connor, Varney, Simek (Wood 72), Johnson (Clarke 76).

Subs not used: O'Donnell, Sodje, Esajas.

Goals: Johnson (14)

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Mahon, Hall (Connolly 30), Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky (Faurlin 68), Gorkss, Watson, Simpson, Taarabt (Vine 88).

Subs not used: Heaton, Agyemang, Alberti, Ephraim.

Goals: Simpson (10), Gorkss (82)

Referee: Mr N Miller

Attendance: 19, 491