Lee Cook's stunning low drive was not enough to give QPR victory against Derby, but the 1-1 draw means they do still remain unbeaten in four at Loftus Road under Neil Warnock's stewardship.

Rangers took the lead on the stroke of half-time, after Taarabt's sublime through ball found Cook on the edge of the area, who blasted home into the left-hand bottom corner.

It proved to be not enough for the R's, however, and when a Robbie Savage free-kick failed to be cleared, Shaun Barker was on hand to smash home from inside the box.

QPR pressed for a second goal late on. Though County, to their credit, held firm to seal a draw.

R's chief Warnock made four changes for the visit of the Rams.

Damion Stewart returned to the side after suspension, while Rowan Vine, Cook and Jay Simpson were also included amongst the starting XI.

That meant that Akos Buzsaky, Matt Hill, Hogan Ephraim and Tamas Priskin all had to make do with a place on the bench for the hosts.

Rangers stuck with Carl Ikeme in goal, with a back four of Peter Ramage, Stewart, Kaspars Gorkss and Matt Connolly.

The midfield quartet consisted of Cook, Mikele Leigertwood, Alejandro Faurlin and Vine on the left.

Taarabt joined Simpson in attack.

On a rainsoaked evening in the capital, it was the R's who were out of the traps quickest.

Taarabt went racing down the left before he cut in and curled a shot in at goal from the edge of the penalty area that was blocked away by Barker for a corner kick.

From the resultant set-piece, Taarabt's corner from the left-hand side swung dangerous towards the goal before Stephen Bywater did well to rise and claim the ball.

Soon after, Connolly breezed past two men just past midway before he played a cutting reverse through pass to Taarabt, and the magical Moroccan forced a fine low save from Bywater.

The Hoops continued to press in numbers, and the Derby keeper was forced into another fine save after Connolly latched on to Faurlin's pass to blast in a rasping shot that was beaten clear.

This was fast becoming one-way traffic, with Rangers camped in the County half.

Moments later, Faurlin received the ball around 35-yards out before he produced a thunderous low drive that was well saved by Bywater for County.

Lovely play between Cook, Leigertwood and Vine eventually saw the former send in a low effort from the right that was blocked away for a corner.

The visiting side had their first effort on target. After a free-kick was played from deep into Gilless Sunu, he nodded on into path of Chris Porter, who headed straight at Ikeme in the R's goal.

Derby, by now, had weathered the R's storm, and Savage then saw his bending free-kick saved by Rangers stopper Ikeme soon after.

QPR were soon back on the attack though and after Taarabt did well to ride a number of challenges, he dragged a shot well wide of Bywater's left-hand post with the half-time whistle fast approaching.

Just before the interval, QPR took a well-earned lead.

Taarabt made the goal, winning the ball just short of the halfway line before he drove at the Derby rearguard and slipped the ball through to Cook on the left-hand edge of the penalty area.

Unmarked but at a tight angle, Cook drilled the ball low past Bywater who had no chance for the Rams.

The rain was unrelenting at the start of the second half, and it was Derby who were almost handed an equaliser after a mistake from Ikeme.

Michael Tonge's superb delivery from the left was too hot for Ikeme to handle, and Stewart had to be alert to sweep the ball out just as it looked as though striker Porter would slot home.

Just short of the hour mark, Antonio German replaced Cook, who was given a standing ovation for his opener as he came off.

Shortly after, the Loftus Road crowd were silenced as County notched a surprise equalising goal.

When a free-kick was played by Savage from deep into the box, Rangers failed to clear the bouncing ball before Barker lashed home when free to draw the Rams level.

Undeterred the R's still continued to get forward in this highly-charged fixture.

Taarabt was still firmly in the thick of the play for the hosts, and he drove at the Derby defence before powering a shot just wide.

Soon after, Faurlin went even closer still and his rasping effort was blocked away for a corner.

Rangers then went within inches of stealing the points, though when German and Ephraim both combined to play in Vine on the edge of the box, his effort smashed against the crossbar and went over.

QPR: Ikeme, Ramage, Stewart, Leigertwood, Vine, Gorkss, Connolly (Hill 33), Cook (German 59), Faurlin, Simpson (Ephraim 78), Taarabt.

Subs: Cerny, Buzsaky, Balanta, Priskin.

Goals: Cook (45)

Bookings: Faurlin

Derby County: Bywater, McEveley, Green, Savage, Porter (Hulse 82), Barker, Pearson, Tonge, Hunt (Davies 61), Anderson, Sunu (Leacock 46).

Subs: David Martin, Teale, Moxey, Dave Martin.

Goals: Barker (67)

Bookings: Leacock

Referee: Mr K K Wright

Attendance: 12, 569