Blackburn Rovers fell to a late defeat at Queens Park Rangers with Jack Colback's strike sending them home empty-handed.

The substitute put his team back in front with a powerful shot from the edge of the box with only 15 minutes remaining. That gave QPR the platform to see out the victory and take the three points.

The hosts had made the perfect start and took an early lead. Michael Frey headed in from a wide free-kick after only seven minutes, which might have also deflected off Makhtar Gueye.

Rovers rallied well and had two big chances to level soon after. Owen Beck hit the crossbar from inside the box before the ball landed with Tyrhys Dolan but his shot was brilliantly stopped by Paul Nardi.

The game could've swung either way just before half-time with both etams guilty of spurning opportunities. Illias Chair was denied by Aynsley Pears after he'd twisted and turned to create space in the penalty area for the strike.

Rovers then went up the other end and Gueye was denied by another great Nardi save. The ball broke to the striker just inside the box but his drive was pushed away.

The second half was a far more even contest but Rovers drew level shortly after the break. Callum Brittain was brought down in the box and Dolan stepped up to level the score with his first goal since October.

However, it wasn't enough for a point as QPR earned the win through Colback. Rovers felt there was a handball in the build-up but it wasn't given and the midfielder fired in, though Pears got a good hand on the strike.

That proved enough to inflict another away reverse on Rovers as the hosts saw the game out with relative comfort.

After the madness of transfer deadline day, it was time for the football to take centre stage once again. Blackburn Rovers were chasing back-to-back league wins for the first time since December.

Their last two trips to Loftus Road have been favourable; two wins by a 7-1 aggregate. Rovers' overall recent record against QPR had seen five wins in six, with four clean sheets in that time. But after five wins in six at home, the Hoops would prove tougher opposition than recent visits.

Augustus Kargbo was the only eligible player of the new additions, with Yuri Ribeiro, Cauley Woodrow and Emmanuel Dennis having to wait for their first taste of action.

The January signing was named on the bench with Eustace opting for an unchanged XI after the morale-boosting Friday night win over Preston North End.

However, they made the worst possible start as they fell behind on seven minutes. A wide free-kick was whipped into the box and flicked in by Frey. The ball may have also taken a nick off Gueye on the way in but the QPR frontman was certainly claiming it.

Rovers responded well and had two golden chances to equalise moment later. Beck hit the crossbar after a ball wasn't cleared inside the area. The ball then was crossed back in by Gueye and landed at the feet of Dolan, who forced Nardi into an excellent save, plucking it out of the top corner.

Having responded brightly to going behind, Rovers began to drift in the game. QPR asserted themselves and began to control the game, with Chair popping into pockets of space and Frey proving a real handful up front.

They had a flurry of half-chances to double their advantage. Paul Smyth sent a vicious, swerving drive wide of the post on his left foot before Chair curled one towards goal but Pears made the save, pushing it around the post.

Two more big chances came and went for either side just before half-time. Chair should have scored for QPR after weaving through a few challenges, only to be brilliantly denied by Pears from 15 yards out.

By this point, Rovers were hanging on for half-time and yet could have been level. Just before the whistle, the ball broke kindly to Gueye inside the box and his shot was well saved by Nardi again. Despite QPR's dominance, Rovers had created some good openings.

Eustace resisted the urge to make changes at the break and his team managed to draw level within 10 minutes. Brittain was brought down in the area after getting to a loose ball first. With Todd Cantwell on the bench, Dolan stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Rovers sensed the shift in momentum and went for the lead. Gueye was again foiled by Nardi as he sent a fierce drive at the near post.

QPR weathered that storm and the game resumed in a very even pattern. Rovers were far more competitive than the first half and, with Frey going off, defended their box far better to balls from wide areas.

But they succumbed 15 minutes from time and fell behind once again. A cross was whipped in and appeals for handball on Alfie Lloyd were waved away. The ball eventually broke to Colback who slammed it into the net. Pears got a strong hand on it but couldn't keep it out.

Rovers rang the changes and tried to find a way back into the match but couldn't do so. Kargbo was given the final few moments to make an impression but, ultimately, they didn't do enough.

Eustace will be disappointed at the lack of impact his substitutes made. Having got back into the game, following a poor first half, they let the game drift and were punished in the end.

Rovers will now turn their attention to The FA Cup as they host Wolves on Sunday. It might be a welcome reset after another frustrating result.