Burnley 1 QPR 0
Burnley went seven points clear of rivals Preston North End to give their play-off push a timely shot in the arm.
North End's defeat to Blackpool at Deepdale, in the 1pm kick-off, had got the afternoon off to a good start.
But it wasn't until Chris Eagles turned in Clarke Carlisle's header from close range, in the 50th minute, that the vocal Turf Moor crowd could really begin to celebrate.
Although Rowan Vine had threatened early, Burnley began to dominate and had good chances before the break.
Jay Rodriguez, on his full debut, tested Radek Cerny with a header, and the Czech international goalkeeper did well to keep out a Robbie Blake free kick in between two good chances for Graham Alexander.
Burnley hit full speed at the start of the second half and, after hitting the woodwork with a header from Blake's corner, Carlisle helped to break the deadlock through a similar set-up.
QPR appealed for handballl as Eagles got the final, decisive touch, but the goal stood.
Carlisle could have had a welcome second on 70 minutes, but Hogan Ephraim cleared off the line to make for a tense finale.
But Burnley held their nerve to earn a fifth win in seven unbeaten league games, ahead of Easter Monday's trip to Cardiff City
