Queens Park Rangers registered their sixth consecutive draw, as Alex Notman's equaliser preserved Sheffield United's unbeaten home record under Neil Warnock.

On-loan striker Mikkel Beck put Rangers ahead, but Notman struck early in the second-half to effectively end QPR's play-off hopes. All but one of Rangers' successive draws have ended 1-1, the exception being last Monday's 0-0 draw against Fulham, when Chris Kiwomya missed two sitters. The striker spurned an early chance to redeem himself when picked out by a cross-field ball from Gavin Peacock but had much more time than he allowed himself in side-footing the ball straight at Simon Tracey.

Beck also seemed in an unnecessary rush when he pounced on a poor clearance by Rob Kozluk. The Dane also shot straight at the United goalkeeper. Lee Harper in the Rangers goal was called upon to palm away Michael Brown's cross after the wing-back breezed past Murray to reach the by-line.

Stand-in centre-back Chris Plummer was more decisive in halting a dangerous burst towards the box by Paul Devlin with a fine sliding tackle. Both Plummer and Murray were additions to the Rangers team that faced Fulham. Murray came in for top scorer Stuart Wardley who missed out due to an ankle injury, while Plummer, who was "sixth or seventh choice centre-back" at the start of the season according to Gerry Francis, was drafted into the side in place of the injured Matthew Rose who dislocated an elbow against Fulham, continuing the Loftus Road defensive injury curse that has also claimed Danny Maddix and Steve Morrow.

Neil Warnock was able to name an unchanged side, but his defence were unable to deal with Jermaine Darlington's deep cross from the right after 23 minutes. Murray arrived at the far post to knock the ball down and from inside the six-yard box, Beck turned in his first goal since joining Rangers from Derby.

The home side rallied and Wayne Quinn caused panic with a low cross from the left that Harper cleared onto the legs of Rangers' on-loan defender Darren Ward. Fortunately for the Watford centre-back, the ball bounced just wide of the post. Marcus Bent headed wide to ensure Rangers ended the half in front, but eight minutes into the second period their lead was cancelled out with a goal remarkably similar to the one that had given them the lead.

For Darlington's cross read Devlin's hanging ball from the right. For Murray's far-post climb read half-time substitute Curtis Woodhouse's timely arrival, allowing Notman to follow Beck in converting from close range. Karl Ready allowed his man to creep goal-side of him and Notman made no mistake, scoring the second goal of his league career. Woodhouse almost found the net himself after 72 minutes. He rose well but saw his header tipped over by Harper.

United finished the stronger of the two teams and were almost gifted a goal with ten minutes remaining. Baraclough mis-controlled a high ball into the area and had to be rescued by Ward, who reacted quickly to block Bent's shot. Bent was denied by Harper in stoppage time. Rangers broke from their own half and Kevin Gallen laid the ball nicely into the path of fellow late substitute Keith Rowland, but his colleague's lack of pace allowed Murphy to intervene. The ball was quickly swept into the Rangers half of the field, eventually finding its way to Bent, who didn't hesitate to shoot. Harper was down well to save.