Luton ended on the wrong side of a five goal thriller as Mike Newell's side slumped to their fourth league defeat on the spin against QPR.

On a positive note, Luton found their touch in front of goal, after failing to score in their last four matches, but sloppy defender was to cost the Hatters as QPR came from behind to take all three points back to West London. The result means Luton had conceded 17 goals in their last five games.

Rangers made a decent start and deserved their lead on 33 minutes when Jimmy Smith touched home his fifth goal in seven games.

However, Luton were in front at half time when two goals in first half stoppage time from Adam Boyd and Ahmet Brkovic turned the game around.

QPR were quickly back in front at the start of the second half, when two corners resulted in goals as an own goal from Markus Heikkinen and a Dexter Blackstock finish secured the visitors maximum points.

Luton went close in the second half with Carlos Edwards and Leon Barnett both going near, but the Hatters couldn't find a way through

Newell made four changes to his side that were defeated by Preston last weekend as Dean Brill was handed his first start of the season replacing the suspended Marlon Beresford, who was dismissed at Deepdale.

Lewis Emanuel returned from injury, replacing Peter Holmes, who dropped to the bench whilst David Bell and Brkovic were handed rare starts, replacing former QPR midfielder Richard Langley and Dean Morgan respectively.

Luton were also boosted by the news that Rowan Vine was passed fit to play, despite concerns that the striker would miss the game because of an injury.

QPR made two changes from the side that defeated Crystal Palace last weekend with Stefan Bailey replacing Steve Lomas and Marc Nygaard returning to the side in place of the unfortunate Kevin Gallen.

A fast tempo was set immediately as Lee Cook quickly fired a free-kick within two minutes, to try and test the nerves of Brill, but his 25-yard effort failed to trouble the Luton youngster, with his effort flying harmlessly over the bar.

The visitors continued to press forward and Bailey should have done better on 12 minutes when his dipping volley flew wide of the target.

Although Luton were defending deep in their own half, chances were soon being created and on 14 minutes, Boyd beat the QPR offside trap, raced towards goal and delivered a low cross that was just beyond the reach of Vine.

The Hatters soon began to enjoy their best spell of the game and were adamant they should have had a penalty on 18 minutes when Brkovic was sent tumbling to the ground under the challenge of Damion Stewart.

The Croatian midfielder latched onto Vine's flicked header that put him in the clear but, despite Stewart seemingly bundling him off the ball, referee Andy D'Urso waved away the appeals, much to the home sides frustrations.

Two minutes later and Luton went close again. Vine's powerful run was halted by the Rangers defence, but as the loose ball fell kindly to Emanuel, the full-back cracked a powerful drive from an acute angle that flew inches wide.

Luton had second shouts for a penalty waved away moments later when Carlos Edwards was tripped in the box by Marcus Bignot.

However, despite bossing the game, Luton found themselves behind on 33 minutes as Jimmy Smith stole in front of his marker to head home Lee Cook's free-kick, inside a packed penalty area.

The visitors should have extended their lead on 32 minutes when Dexter Blackstock found space between two Luton defenders, but blasted his shot over the crossbar from ten yards.

The game looked as if it was drifting into a QPR half-time interval lead, before Luton incredibly turned the match around with two goals in first-half stoppage time.

Firstly, Stewart was caught napping from Kevin Foley's long throw which enabled Steve Robinson to drift inside the penalty area and tee up Boyd to grab his first Championship goal of the season, converting from six-yards.

Then moments later, Bell's pinpoint cross from the left flank was met by Brkovic's glancing header, which was enough to put the ball beyond the reach of QPR goalkeeper Simon Royce and nestle kindly in the corner of the net.

AT HALF TIME: LUTON 2 V 1 QPR

Luton made a rusty start to the second half as this encounter took another twist with QPR restoring their lead within eight minutes of the restart.

On 51 minutes, QPR were back on level terms when Cook's corner found its way past Brill, with the last touch seemingly coming off Heikkinen's head.

Then, just two minutes later, another corner, on this occasion taken by Smith, was nodded on by Marc Nygaard with the ball being tucked away by the unmarked Blackstock, who converted from six yards.

Luton had the chance to get themselves back on level terms on 65 minutes when Brkovic's cross found Edwards but the Trinidad and Tobago midfielder fired a volley into the ground, which bounced over the crossbar.

QPR came close to extending their lead on 79 minutes when Smith's free-kick narrowly missed the target, as Luton struggled to get the ball out of their own half.

Luton continued to push forward, but couldn't find a way through, despite Barnett coming close in the closing stages.

Luton: Brill, Foley, Edwards, Robinson (Morgan 85), Vine (Feeney 85), Emanuel, Brkovic, Boyd, Barnett, Heikkinen, Bell

Subs not used: Perrett, Holmes, Barrett

Bookings:

QPR: Royce, Bignot, Rehman, Ainsworth, Cook, Bailey, Stewart, Nygaard, Blackstock (Gallen 80, Ward 89)), Smith, Mancienne

Subs not used: Milanese, Jones, Baidoo

Bookings: Blackstock (75)

Referee: Mr A. P Durso

Attendance: 9,007 (1,533 from QPR)