Millwall are now a point away from the drop as two first-half goals from Queens Park Rangers condemned them to defeat at Loftus Road.

Massimo Luongo opened the scoring after scrappy corner before Ebere Eze, a former Lions youth player, doubled the lead just two minutes later.

The visitors, who registered just two shot attempts all 45 minutes, made a resurgence in the second-half but struggled against the Rs’ attacking threat.

Millwall have now lost four of their previous five Sky Bet Championship fixtures, having not won since a 2-1 victory over Derby County at the Den last month.

Neil Harris, who continues to be without last season’s player of the year Shaun Hutchinson, made just one change – Tom Bradshaw ahead of captain Steve Morison.

QPR began the cross-city clash the brighter of the two, as they went close with a free-kick before Nakhi Wells wrapped a shot across goal.

As Millwall failed to attempt a shot in the opening 30 minutes, Ebere Eze – flanked by Luke Freeman and Jordan Cousins – continued to pose problems.

It was on the half-hour mark that their efforts paid off when Luongo nodded past an outstretched Ben Amos after a deflected Wells shot.

Just two minutes later QPR doubled their lead as Eze, who was released around two years ago, arrowed a half-volley into the bottom-corner courtesy of a Luke Freeman cross.

The Lions found some reprieve late into the first-half through a couple corners but Jake Cooper couldn’t meet his head with a ball to the back post.

Harris made a half-time change to try and salvage something, throwing Morison into the fray for Bradshaw in a straight swap.

Millwall looked invigorated by the change as the substitute fired their first shot on target all game before Cooper’s header rattled the crossbar.

The game saw periods of open play while the visitors showed signs of life but were bereft of clear-cut chances – Aiden O’Brien, Jed Wallace, and Shaun Williams all attempting strikes.

QPR’s best chance came when Amos was forced into a crucial save before Cooper swept the ball away near to his goal, as the Rs collected three vital points at home.