Rangers slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Southampton, as the heartbreaking events of the last week took their toll on John Gregory's side.
Ray Jones' untimely death seven days ago was clearly still playing on the minds of the QPR players, as they succumbed to a second home league loss of the campaign.
A first half brace from Grzegorz Rasiak and a second half header from Bradley Wright-Phillips put Rangers to the sword, in front of the watching Flavio Briatore.
On an emotional afternoon in W12, Gregory gave debuts to three new signings, in the shape of Chris Barker, Mikele Leigertwood and Ben Sahar.
Southampton boss George Burley refused the temptation to blood his new additions, Stern John and Jason Euell, with both players having to make do with a place on the substitute's bench.
After a minute's applause to honour the life of teenager Jones, both sides enjoyed an equal share of possession in a quiet opening.
The first chance of the contest arrived on the quarter hour.
Hesitancy in the heart of the R's defence allowed Wayne Thomas the time and space to manufacture a shot, which Lee Camp tipped over the bar.
But there was to be no respite and when Youssef Safri's resultant corner was flighted into the six-yard box, the unmarked Rasiak stooped to head home.
Rangers' first effort of the match arrived a minute later, when Sahar's shot on the turn from fully 25-yards was held by Kelvin Davis.
Buoyed by creating their first opportunity of otherwise quiet opening, Rangers grew in confidence as the half progressed, with Martin Rowlands stinging the palms of Davis with a 30-yard free-kick in the 25th minute.
The R's had vocal appeals for a spot-kick waved away five minutes later, when Rowlands appeared to be dragged back by Jermaine Wright as he bore down on goal.
Rasiak was very nearly the beneficiary of a poor piece of defending from Damion Stewart moments later. The Jamaican international appeared to be day-dreaming when he allowed the Polish front-man to nip in behind him and when his poor back pass was under-hit, Camp stood tall to block the goalscorer's effort from an acute angle.
With Rangers struggling to cope with the Saints quick-fire counter attacks, Rasiak could and probably should have made it two in the 41st minute.
Fine wide play from Nathan Dyer eventually led to the ball landing at the feet of the Saints striker, but he hesitated, slipped and then blasted high and wide from 15-yards.
The second goal Southampton's first half display fully deserved arrived on the stroke of half-time.
Jhon Viafara broke at pace from a QPR corner and when Camp came charging out of his box to send the roaming midfielder crashing to ground, referee Mr Thorpe played an advantage, which allowed Rasiak to tap home into an empty net.
Camp was booked for his involvement in the build-up to the goal, despite Saints' vocal appeals for the goalkeeper to be dismissed.
The R's number one came to Rangers' rescue in the first minute of added time, charging out yet again, this time to thwart Bradley Wright-Phillips.
But there was nothing the Rangers custodian could do to prevent Saints adding a third goal at the start of the second half.
Speed-merchant Dyer again provided the assist, tricking his way past Rowlands and Barker with ease before delivering an inch-perfect cross, which the unmarked Wright-Phillips headed home from close range.
Camp had to be at his agile best again to prevent Wright-Phillips from doubling his tally in the 58th minute, when he saved with his feet, while at the other end, Leigertwood teed up Hogan Ephraim, who curled an opportune effort inches over the bar.
Stewart atoned for his own error when he cleared Rasiak's chip off the line after gifting the Pole a free shot on goal, before Camp denied the same player a hat-trick, when he dived full-stretch to tip his towering header over the bar.
As players from both sides left the field of play, Ray Jones' name could be heard echoing around Loftus Road. It was a fitting end to an otherwise difficult afternoon for everyone associated to Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Mancienne (Cullip 83), Bolder, Blackstock (Nygaard 68), Rowlands, Sahar (Nardiello 68), Curtis, Ephraim, Leigertwood.
Subs: Cole, Bignot.
Scorers:
Bookings: Camp 45, Cullip 90 (+1)
Red Cards:
Southampton: Davis, Thomas, Wright-Phillips (Saganowski 72), Rasiak (John 83), Wright, Surman (Euell 63), Viafara, Dyer, Makin, Vignal, Safri.
Subs: Bialkowski, Ostlund.
Scorers: Rasiak 17 & 45, Wright-Phillips 48
Bookings:
Red Cards:
Referee: Mr M Thorpe
Attendance: 15, 560
