F-T: QPR 5 Rotherham United 1

Early results elsewhere meant the Millers went into the Loftus Road clash knowing that the drop won't be confirmed until next month, after the international break.

They made little of their temporary reprieve and were comprehensively seen off by Ian Holloway's side who scored twice early in the first half and repeated the feat at the beginning of the second period.

A 19th loss in 20 away games was hardly the way the Millers wanted to mark their 4,000 league match, a figure reached under their combined guises of Rotherham United and, before that, Rotherham County.

Caretaker boss Paul Warne handed a 70th-minute debut to Carlton Morris and the loan striker looked quick and produced a couple of neat touches, although he dragged a 73rd-minute opportunity wide.

QPR had the better of a 10-minute three-goal flurry early in the first half.

Matt Smith shot across goal and in after five minutes only for Joe Newell to fire home a stunning equaliser eight minutes later, the Millers midfielder connecting perfectly with a difficult bouncing ball 25 yards out.

The visitors' delight had lasted all of two minutes when centre-half Semi Ajayi hesitated horribly and Luke Freeman nipped round him to slot past goalkeeper Lewis Price.

QPR needed only four minutes of the second half to extend their lead, Yeni Ngbakoto sending Price the wrong way from the penalty spot after Aimen Belaid had pushed Smith.

And worse was to follow eight minutes later when Massimo Luongo steered his header into Price's bottom left-hand corner.

Rotherham, suffering a club-record 29th loss in a single season, are 24 points from safety and have only 24 to play for in their final eight fixtures.

Warne had gone with an attacking 4-4-2 formation, pairing Danny Ward and Jerry Yates up front and dropping midfielder Richie Smallwood to the bench.

Anthony Forde made way for Jon Taylor on the right wing and Ben Purrington came in at left-back in place of the suspended Joe Mattock.

His boldness failed to pay dividends and Nedum Onuoha struck the final blow of a torrid second half in time added on from close range as the Millers fell to their 11th defeat in their last 12 matches.

QPR (5-3-2): Smithies; Furlong, Onuoha, Hall, Lynch, Bidwell; Freeman (Morrison 63), Luongo (Goss 75), Ngbakoto; Smith (Washington 63), Sylla. Subs not used: Ingram, Mackie, Wszolek, Manning.

Rotherham United (4-4-2): Price; Vaulks, Ajayi, Belaid, Purrington; Taylor (Forde 65), Adeyemi, Frecklington, Newell; Ward (Smallwood 85), Yates (Morris 70). Subs not used: Bilboe, Warren, Bray, Blackstock.

Goals: Smith 5, Freeman 15, Ngbakoto pen 49, Luongo 57, Onuoha 90+1 (QPR); Newell 13 (Rotherham).

Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire).

Attendance: 13,383 (262).