Second-half goals from Leroy Fer and Charlie Austin helped Queens Park Rangers move out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Burnley at Loftus Road.

Fer opened the score shortly after the break, before the in-form QPR striker doubled the lead on 74 minutes.

Austin, who had earlier been booked, was then sent off just minutes after scoring, but there was not enough time remaining for the Clarets to stage a comeback.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how Harry Redknapp's side won the basement battle in London.

Match statistics

QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Shots: 7
On target: 6
Possession: 52%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 11

BURNLEY
Shots: 10
On target: 3
Possession: 48%
Corners: 11
Fouls: 11

Was the result fair?

In a word, yes. Burnley were marginally the better team in a goalless first half, but they lost that momentum during the break and QPR moved ahead within six minutes of the restart, and never really found themselves in danger of being pegged back, with the home defence successfully combating the likes of Danny Ings and Ashley Barnes up front. The best team won and Burnley boss Sean Dyche, nor any of his players, can have any complaints.

QPR's performance

It was a deserved victory for a QPR side whose home form has been their saving grace this season. They have won four and drawn two of their seven outings at Loftus Road so far this season, and this was another productive afternoon.

Harry Redknapp's side survived one or two scares in a first half in which they were second best, but Fer - albeit with a slice of fortune - fired them ahead shortly after the break, before Austin effectively sealed this relegation six-pointer with another goal on 75 minutes.

Austin was dismissed shortly after and it should have made for an uneasy last 13 minutes for QPR and their fans, but their defence repelled everything that came their way. It was not a pretty victory, typified by the scrappy nature of their opening goal, but Redknapp and his players will not care. It is three points and a small step on the ladder toward safety as they now sit outside the drop zone.

Burnley's performance

This defeat ended Burnley's four-game unbeaten run, but it is the manner of the result that will worry Dyche. His side were nowhere near good enough in a performance that evoked memories of how poor they were before embarking on their unbeaten streak in November.

The Clarets went in at half time feeling like they probably should have been leading after fashioning a few decent chances in the opening 45 minutes. However, they lost that momentum during the break and ended up conceding early in the second half, at which point they folded and never looked like getting back into the game.

It was just a very poor overall performance from them, and opinions that they are now attuned to the Premier League may be premature.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Richard Dunne: The Irishman was superb today and played a big role in the victory by virtue of dominating Burnley's go-to-guy Ings. If the Clarets hitman had no chances, then it is because Dunne did not allow him a sniff.

There was one occasion in the second half when Ings was through with Green and about to pull the trigger, before Dunne came from nowhere and nicked the ball away from him at the crucial moment. He had scored four in his last six Premier League games, but he was never going to add to that haul today.

Biggest gaffe

It was a game with minimal gaffes, but, if pushed, then QPR left-back Yun-Suk Young deserves a mention. He could, and definitely should, have killed off the game by adding a third on 85 minutes, but, with only Tom Heaton to beat, fired straight at the Burnley goalkeeper.

Referee performance

Jonathan Moss had a relatively average game overall, but his decision to send off Austin did look a little harsh. Austin, who had already been booked, contested an aerial ball with Kieran Trippier before his flailing arm caught the Burnley right-back in the face. Austin, in his defence, had his eyes on the ball the whole time, but Moss issued him with a second yellow and it marred what had been a very decent, competent performance from the referee overall.

What next?

Queens Park Rangers: The Hoops will now enjoy a nine-day break before travelling to Everton next Monday.

Burnley: Dyche's men host Southampton at Turf Moor next Saturday.