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MOMENTS of individual brilliance were the difference between Boro and the runaway league leaders in a game where Tony Mowbray felt the scoreline did not tell the full story.
Adel Taraabt and Wayne Routledge were Boro's main tormentors, while QPR's veteran striker Heidar Helguson capitalised on their creativity with two goals in what might sound like a one-sided affair.
But the first goal near the end of an even first half came courtesy of a wicked deflection and the third was a penalty conceded by Merouane Zemmama's forward's tackle when there seemed to be little danger.
"I think 3-0's a bit harsh," said Mowbray. "Sometimes when you're top of the table things roll for you like that. They've got some decent players in the forward line and their tactics are to let them go forward and win games.
"To coin a Mourinho phrase they park the bus - the full-backs don't cross the halfway line and the front four have individual talent that can win them matches. That's a formula that seems to be working very well for them this year.
"I'm not taking anything away from them - if you're top of the table after 30 games, you must be a decent side and they undoubtedly are. They've got some good individuals, a big, strong, powerful back-line and they get the job done."
Boro's best chance came with just seconds on the clock when a poor clearance from goalkeeper Paddy Kenny gifted Scott mcDonald's with a glorious opening.
But Kenny atoned for his error with a fine save and the visitors rarely looked back.
Asked how much difference it would have made if the ball had gone in, Mowbray said: "It would have made a difference - we would have been one-nil up. But I don't know if it would have made a difference overall."
Mowbray knows the headlines won't be favourable after the heaviest defeat of his reign so far, but he said: "In journalism, you see the result and decide one team played well and the other team didn't.
"But I don't think there was much in it. For 40 minutes it was 0-0 and we'd had the outstanding chance of the game.
"When you're top of the table you're just waiting for one piece of quality from one individual to make a difference and I think that was it today.
"There's not very much in it. We did fine for long enough spells but the two goals in the second half killed the game as a contest.
"It's football and you have to take it on the chin sometimes when you play a team at the top of the table."
Andrew Davies, who was playing at the Riverside for the first time since his loan move from Stoke City, picked up an injury late in the game but Mowbray said it was too early to say how long he will be out.
"It looks like hamstring but what grade I don't know. It could be eight weeks, could be one week. We'll wait and see."
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