Report: Sean Wozencroft

Snapshot: City moved into seventh position, just one point off the play-offs, with an excellent 3-1 win against QPR. City were in thrilling form for the first hour, tearing Rangers apart and looking good value for their three goal advantage. The first came on 12 minutes, Paul Parry racing to the byline and finding Joe Ledley in the centre. The midfielder comfortably converted from closerange.

Youngster Aaron Ramsey created the second, finding unmarked Hasselbaink in the area. The striker could have scored himself but showed great awareness to lay off for Ledley to bag his second. The game was won on 57 minutes. Again Hasselbaink was involved, knocking down for the progressing Parry to fire low past Camp. A bizarre goal for the visitors gave them some hope, but City comfortably played the game out to give our promotion chances another huge boost.

Team News

Dave Jones made two changes to the side that won at Hereford on Sunday. Starlet Aaron 'Rambo' Ramsey replaced Steve McPhail, suffering with a hip problem, in central midfield. It was the 17-year-old's first league start for the Bluebirds after impressing during 89 minutes at Chasetown in the FA Cup.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink returned to the fray upfront alongside Paul Parry. Steve Thompson suffered with cramp on Monday after playing nearly a full match at Edgar Street. There was no place in the QPR squad for Chris Barker, who is recovery from a minor hernia operation.

Chronological Report

In a lively start with drizzle drifting in and out, Partrick Agyemang's pace took him beyond City's last defender early on but his first touch took him wide of goal and Roger Johnson recovered.

The first real chance fell to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on nine minutes. Joe Ledley's in-swinging corner found the Dutchman on the front post but he couldn't connect properly. It was only cleared as far as Johnson though, but he couldn't scramble it home. Agyemang was playing on the last man and was looking a real handful with electric pace, but City took the lead on 12 minutes.

Paul Parry picked the ball up inside the Rangers half, took it to the byline and easily found the unmarked Joe Ledley in the centre. Ledley couldn't miss, side-footing past Camp from no more than five yards. The 'keeper dived the right way but the pace of the shot was enough to give the Bluebirds a vital lead.

Cardiff City 1 - 0 QPR

"What a waste of money" was the taunt of choice for the home supporters, and it was nearly 2-0 four minutes later. With the Rangers defence at sixes and sevens, Hasselbaink's flick-on header was met by the progressing Paul Parry, but his shot from closerange was blocked by the legs of the 'keeper.

Soon after Parry nearly connected with Peter Whittingham's intelligent ball on the increasingly greasy surface. Camp was forced into a brilliant double save on 21 minutes. First Gave Rae did well to battle in midfield and collect the ball, playing it forward to Loovens who shot well and the 'keeper was equal to it. It came out to Whittingham who forced an equally fine save from Camp, diving to his left at waist height.

With QPR repetitively trying the ball over the top, it was City playing all the football. On 24 minutes Hasselbaink superbly turned Damion Stewart, used his strength to power forward and won a freekick on the edge of the area. The setpiece was straight off the training ground. A short ball was played to Peter Whittingham, who took it a step wide and crossed. Defender Glenn Loovens rose highest only to see his header miss the upright by inches.

Rangers were desperately unlucky not to level the scores five minutes later. Martin Rowlands drilled over a low cross and Loovens' clearance nearly found his own net but instead went out for a corner. From Akos Buzsaky's resulting cross it went all the way into the six yard area and was somehow cleared with plenty of red shirts waiting when it looked inevitable that a goal would follow. City nearly hit QPR immediately on the counter. Hasselbaink rolled back the years, sprinting forward in possession and playing a lovely ball for Parry but his shot was saved.

Again in came back in for City but Whittingham contrived to miss from closerange when he should have scored. Some neat play in the centre by Aaron Ramsey seconds later gave Hasselbaink a chance in the area. His touch took it past his man but his side-footed effort was deflected over the crossbar by Camp.

City were two goals to the good five minutes before the interval following more imaginative play. Ramsey showed the composure to play in a pinpoint ball into the inexplicably unmarked Hasselbaink. You would have backed the striker to score himself but he unselfishly and perfectly knocked it down for Ledley to easily half volley into the net from eight yards, his second of the game.

Cardiff City 2 - 0 QPR

With the visitors' defence rocking and Stewart unable to deal with Parry came close again as the half concluded. City were threatening to turn it into a rout with lightening fast attacks in a thrilling game.

Half time - Cardiff City 2 - 0 QPR

The first goal of the second half was always going to be important. City had it and secured the points on 57 minutes. Whittingham chipped it into Hasselbaink inside the area from a central position. His head down for the on rushing Parry was perfect and the Welshman bagged his seventh of the season, stroking the ball past Camp with ease.

Cardiff City 3 - 0 QPR

Ninian Park sensed a demolition. On 62 minutes sublime skill from McNaughton set Whittingham on his way down the right flank. His cross should have been held by the 'keeper, but he thumbled and Hasselbaink nearly took advantage.

On 66 minutes Gavin Rae sent a long ball straight down the throat of the Rangers defence. Camp came charging out but Parry still beat him to it but his attempted lob bounced just wide via a deflection.

Rangers were having more possession in the second half and threatening from corners, but City remained the more dangerous.

Rangers pulled one back in the most bizarre of circumstances. Even the travelling QPR fans stood silent until the referee marched play back to the centre circle unaware that the ball had trickled beyond Michael Oakes. Oakes was then replaced by new boy Peter Enckelman after seemingly colliding with the post. Substitute Hogan Ephraim was credited with the goal.

Cardiff City 3 - 1 QPR

The game was stopped for several minutes and suffered a lull as a consequence. Plenty of oxygen was sharply sucked by the home supporters on 83 minutes when Rowan Vine's fine cross found Agyemang in space but his header was straight into the arms of Enckelman. We may have had some nervous closing minutes if he had scored, as he probably should've.

Rangers continued to cause problems late on. Martin Rowlands' freekick was headed on by Damien Delaney, Roger Johnson touched it on towards his own goal and Enckelman had to make a fine save to tip it onto the crossbar. Another heart attack moment.

The fluency of City's play had completely gone and there were minor concerns when six minutes of injury time were announced. But City were troubled no further and recorded the home victory that our fantastic first 60 minutes so richly deserved.

Full time: Cardiff City 3 - 1 QPR