Tim Breacker’s young reserve side went down to 2-0 to a strong Gillingham side at Northwood in the Pontin’s Holiday Cup.
The game saw the return from injury of Richard Pacquette who enjoyed a useful 45 minute run-out and new signing Richard Edghill who got a full 90 minutes under his belt as he looks to step up his bid to full fitness.
After enjoying the better of an entertaining first half rangers were unable to make their pressure count and seemed to run out of steam and the visitors took control in the second period and there was only going to ever be one winner from there onwards.
Gillingham netted 10 minutes into the second half and settled the game 15 minutes from time to seal a victory for the Kent side, which included Rod Wallace and player-manager Andy Hessenthaler.
Tim Breacker was naturally disappointed with how the game panned out but was still able to take the positives from the fixture.
"This was very similar to the Norwich game. We started well and were playing out most of the game in there half. But we needed to score and in the second half, without Richard Pacquette who was always going to play 45 minutes, we lost something.
"We reacted badly to conceding the first goal and never really picked it back up again.
But I was pleased with a lot of our play- Eric Sabin looked sharp with Richard in attack and you could tell that Richard Edghill has played at a higher level.
"It was also a good experience for the younger players who will continue to learn from playing against strong and knowledgeable teams like this."
The Pontin’s Holiday Cup begins with a group stage and Rangers have games to come against Crystal Palace and Millwall before the knockout rounds begin.
Rangers: Culkin, Edghill, Murphy, Ifura, Johnson, Bean, Lewis (Sylvester), Mills (Coke), Walshe, Pacquette (trialist), Sabin.
Gary Waddock has spoken of his delight at the fundraising efforts of the supporters who have helped bring in money for the Centre of Excellence in recent weeks.
At Saturday’s home game against Chesterfield a bucket collection outside the ground boosted the coffers and the youth set up has also recently received a cheque for £1,800 from the Training Day held at Twyford Avenue a few weeks back.
"The bucket collection was a great effort and I would like to thank everybody involved. The money will be a great help to the Centre of Excellence.
"We are also extremely grateful for the cash raised by the Training Day. Supporters who attended brought in £1,800 for the club and this money will go directly to establishing a base at Brunel University for home games.
"The facilities at Brunel are first class and supporters’ efforts will undoubtedly enhance the players’ development. It just goes to show that the supporters really can make a difference."
It is a welcome boost to the youth system at QPR, which sadly had to abandon its academy to reduce costs as money problems continue to hit rangers hard.
After seeing Rangers’ under 17s draw at Rushden last weekend, coach Joe Gallen admits that he is expecting better from his unbeaten players this season.
Having dominated the opening half at Nene Park to go in at the interval one goal up, the visitors took their foot off the gas in the second period and allowed Diamonds to grab a draw thanks to an early equaliser on 48 minutes.
Rangers took the lead on the half-hour thanks to a well-worked free kick routine allowed striker Lee Barnett to grab his fourth goal of this embryonic season.
But they were soon caught napping three minutes into the second half and all their good work unravelled in a disappointing 45 minutes.
It was a "Jekyll and Hyde" display according to Gallen and although Rangers remained unbeaten after three games, all away from home, he felt the victory was there for the taking and that the opportunity was lost.
"We were in control of the game but we failed to capitalise on a number of chances and in the second half we were poor.
"Rushden & Diamonds weren’t in the game, but their early goal in the second half gave them a lift and we didn’t attack with any real purpose after that. To be honest we could even have lost it and that would have been very frustrating."
Nethertheless, Gallen was able to take the positives from what was by no means a poor result.
"We had schoolboys playing out there and this was another important experience for them. We are now unbeaten after three games- all away from home and not losing is a good habit to have!
We look capable of scoring goals and we have plenty to build on. But Gary Waddock and myself have high expectations and we want consistency week in week out."
Rangers: Hesselton, Sharples (Murphy), Blanchett, Lewis, Johnson, Bonner, Sylvester, Mulholland, Barnett, Townsend (Donnelly (Linehan )), Farr.