As this game fell just after my birthday I made a weekend of it and stayed in Blackpool for a few days seeing this game and getting two good nights out in the process. Due to this I haven't had time to write a match report so here are two reports from supporters at the game. These views just about sum up how I saw it anyway. So first off here's Tracy's view from the QPR message board followed by Dave Thomas also from the QPR messageboard.

Team was: Harper, Baraclough, Brown, Maddix, Bignot, Darlington, Muzza, Perry, Knight Crouch, Kiwomya With newcomer Wayne Brown making his first start for his new loan club, and with Marcus Bignot also playing from the start since his signing last week, it took a while for the new boys to settle in.

After a cagey start by both sides, Burnely found themselves in front after catching our defence napping. A cross came over into the box, it eluded our central defenders and Burnley frontman, Paul Smith found himself able to poke the ball home, though poor Leon Knight did his best to challenge (but why on earth was he having to defend?)

Still, heads did not drop and with Leon lively on the right flank and Darlo on the other side, we found ourselves beginning to create chances. On the half hour mark, following an excellent Brown challenge in our own area, a corner was conceded down the other end, with Muzza going close as a result.

Only moments later, a truly great pass from Crouch put Kiwomya free, with the Burnely defence caught out all he needed to do was control his shot. However his first touch let him down and what really should have been the goal to have put us on level terms, CK fluffed it. Then with five minutes to the interval a great run by Darlo really should have resulted in him taking a shot, he had time, but he took the option to pass to Crouch on the left who could only hit the side netting.

With half time approaching we conceded a corner, the original cross was cleared, the ball fell to Gareth Taylor who was granted a free header. For a guy who only managed to score one goal during his loan spell with us, he made no mistake in finding the back of the net with this particular chance. 2-0 to Burnley and it really was an unfair reflection on the pattern of the game.

Still we didn't give up, and just before the half time whistle we were awarded a free kick from around 25 yards out. Ian Baraclough lined up his kick, shot, it bent wickedly and just as we thought we were going to celebrate a truly magnificent goal, the ball hit the woodwork, spun across the goal line, (I think a defender cleared it, couldn't see properly) and we were denied a goal worthy of goal of the month.

Half time and as the players trooped off towards the tunnel, in stark contrast to the way they have been heckled off at half time by the travelling fans, today they were clapped and encouraged by the 500 to 600 or so supporters. The second half kicked off and new signing, Andy Thomson, made his debut, replacing Chris Kiwomya. With only minutes played of the second half, Crouch hit the woodwork after a Baraclough corner.

Then moments later (probably around 10 mins of the second half played) following good work by Crouch and Thomson, Bignot found himself with a clear cut shot from close range. He made no mistake in finding the back of the net and came running straight over to us (behind the goal) full of passion, kissing his shirt. It was now well and truly game on.

Attack after attack followed. Good work by Crouch resulted in a corner, Bignot again coming close. Then a quite excellent Leon Knight run, followed by his pin point cross reached Crouch who could only head at the keeper. With ten minutes remaining, and time running out, Olly made the substitution of bringing on Ngonge for the tiring but so hard working Crouch, and this had an immediate impact.

A superb run by Michel from the half way line took him into the box but instead of shooting at goal himself he passed across, a move I don't think Andy Thomson and Muzza (I think it was?) had been expecting. It eluded both of them and instead of celebrating a fully deserved equaliser we were left rueing such a wasted opportunity.

Final chance of the game came courtesy of another corner, but Ngonge blasted into row X. At the final whistle it was so good to see the tremendous reception our players received from our travelling faithful.

Player performances: Harper - Could not be blamed for either goals really. We were just caught cold both times during that first half. Don't remember him having to do anything much during the second period.

Baraclough - Good to see him regaining some confidence back into his game. A few decent corners and though he got caught napping a couple of times on the left, all in all, a competent enough game.

Maddix - I was rather surprised to see him in the starting line up. His 3 match ban probably starts from next week? Looked good, such a shame he's been out for so long.

Brown - Took a while to settle down, but once he did I was impressed with him. Made a few telling challenges and I have a feeling Ipswich will be keeping a close ear on how he performs with us for the rest of the season.

Bignot - Started off in a more right back role, but as the game progressed moved into he midfield to give it a little more bite. Has an extremely professional attitude and following his obvious delight at getting on the score sheet for his new club I love him already.

Darlo - A good first half but his head seemed to drop somewhat during the last ten minutes or so. Good to see him come out for the second half with it back up. Did his usual forward runs but still had the tendency to take the ball further than necessary. Like I say, a good performance, guess he just frustrates me so much.

Muzza - Hard working, not afraid to tackle when necessary and got himself into goal scoring positions. So good to see him back.

Perry - Started off in midfield, then went off to play in a more right sided defensive role during the first half, (and the second) when needed. Another good performance by such a versatile player.

Knight - Oh bless. He looks like an under 14 on the pitch, in fact, as the game started our little Sarah asked "who's the little boy for us?" He was given a pretty rough time by the Burnley defence during the first half, he played his heart out all game and the lad has a wonderful future ahead of him.

Crouch - Love him or loathe him his effort, commitment and sheer hard work could not be faulted. Linked up well with Thomson and Bignot during the second period and looked so tired when he was replaced by Ngonge.

Kiwomya - Oh dear. Had a bit of an off day and after the way his first touch let him down following the chance when he was put clear through, perhaps Olly thought it for the best to replace him as maybe his confidence was shot to pieces by then.

Thomson - A Marty Pellow lookalike, Thommo (as I found myself calling him) certainly got himself into the right positions during the second period. Too early to judge him yet. Perhaps a start at Forest next week?

Ngonge - I was quite surprised that he wasn't in the starting line up. Immediate impact as I've already mentioned above. Was only on for 10 minutes but caused the Burnley defence a lot of problems.

Kulscar - Came on for Paul Murray with only a minute or so of normal time remaining. Don't even know if he had the chance to touch the ball.

So there we are. A much, much better all round performance compared to some of the dross we've endured this season. Unfortunately, for first division survivial, I fear it's all now too little too late. As with the Grimsby game last week, chance after chance was created, but we just couldn't make it pay. I said a while back, if we're gonna go down then let's go down with a fight. It looks like there's plenty of fight but we're fast running out of games. Nothing less than 3 points at the City Ground next week is now of the essence. Anyway, I'm going to post this now and have a read of all the earlier match reports/postings.

Here's the second report from Dave Thomas.

Another defeat, another nail in the coffin... but for anyone contemplating slashing their wrist, don't pick up that rusty blade just yet. I left Turf Moor this afternoon in optimistic mood. Not because I think we can pull off a miracle and avoid relegation, but because my team suddenly look like a PROPER football team again.

Sure, profligate finishing and defensive mistakes cost us, but the overall performance was by a country mile the best we've played away from home this season. Passing, movement, committment and spirit - it was all there. The 6-700 travelling support got right behind the team, and with Burnley playing their part, it was that rarity of QPR matches away from home - a highly enjoyable one.

As ever, lazy git that I am, I'll leave the match reports to others. There will be others, too, who will point out Kiwomya's pathetic first-half performance, or the pantomime late on, when three Burnley defenders suddenly found themselves looking for the ball (Cue Burnley fans: "It's behind you!"), as Ngonge burst through them somehow taking the ball and Murray and another hooped shirt with him, only for all three to miss a scoring opportunity in a piece of slapstick that you might believe was choreographed, so bad a miss was it.

However, I believe in performances, not results. And today my team gave me back a little of the pride that's been so severely dented this sorry season. Bignot was outstanding, Thompson industrious and aggressive, Brown composed and assured. They brought out the best in Murray (for an hour) and Darlington, too. There was a lot of clever little inter-changes as Rangers looked to build moves from the back. They were far more inventive than at any other time this season, and confidence remained intact even at 2-0 down.

The Rangers fans' prolonged 'Holloway's blue and white' chant was as much an acknowledgment of Holloway's influence in all of that as it was a show of support for the man and his team. To anyone undecided about going to Forest next week, be there - because at last we've got a football team again wearing those hooped shirts.

This is NOT just a team fighting for their survival. This is one a million miles removed from the one-dimensional sides Gerry Francis put out week after week. We've turned a corner at last. That might not be evidenced in the result, but it was all there in the performance. It might not seem like it right now, but things are definitely looking up at long, long last.