West Brom conspired to blow a two-goal lead at The Hawthorns on Easter Monday in another clear indicator that they could let their season fizzle out amid the play-off race.
Despite Brandon Thomas-Asante and Semi Ajayi ensuring that Albion raced into a two-goal lead inside a quarter of an hour, they were pegged back either side of half time through goals from Lyndon Dykes and Chris Martin - the latter in disastrous fashion from the Baggies' point of view.
On the back of the Rotherham disappointment on Good Friday, Albion required a response and looked well on their way to addressing that with their early lead, only to then be left clinging on against a side who'd lost nine of their last ten games, albeit in the midst of their relegation battle.
It was the dream start, akin to the Middlesbrough game. Albion, in a flash, were two goals up without having to really exert themselves. Thomas-Asante bundled in John Swift's excellent free kick and, within three minutes, that lead had been doubled courtesy of Ajayi, who squeezed the rebound over the line after Swift had been denied by Seny Dieng.
Albion, though, invited QPR back into the contest. The defence was static, no pressure was applied to creative talent Ilias Chair as he picked the ball up on Albion's left hand side and his consequent cross was glanced in by Dykes, who'd got in front of the static Ajayi.
The Hawthorns, by this point joined by the number of supporters who'd been protesting until 15:12 outside of the ground, was on edge. The atmosphere was produced by the visiting supporters, and that nervousness was reflected, in parts, in Albion's performance. QPR, a side who'd won two in 24 before this, pressed urgently without the ball and moved it quickly when in possession of it.
Albion actually began the second half the better of the two teams, until disaster struck. The Hoops' equaliser was entirely of Albion's doing; Erik Pieters' back pass was met with a heavy touch by goalkeeper Josh Griffiths, who was ultimately charged down by Martin - the ball ricocheted into the empty net in front of the delighted visiting supporters.
The weather was bizarre. The showers, when they came, were biblical and they were swiftly followed by lovely spring sunshine. A rainbow emerged over The Hawthorns - the chances of Albion making the play-offs with performances and results like this, however, are as likely as Guochuan Lai having buried a pot of gold at the end of it.
What is even more infuriating is that, again, the gap between themselves and the top six hasn't changed after Blackburn failed to win and Millwall were beat. Onto Stoke City.
West Brom player ratings v QPR
Griffiths 4
Little to do other than pick the ball out of his net, and pick himself up when clattered by Dykes, in the first half. Nightmare moment which led to Martin's leveller. Best Albion performer on Friday, but the goalkeeping has cost Albion too many points this season.
Furlong 6
Shepherded the ball out of play under pressure on a couple of occasions in the first half. Used his body well in the opposing area to create an opening for captain Townsend. Put in a decent shift down the right.
Ajayi 6
The perfect start to his own performance when he managed to force the ball over the line from close range for his first goal of the season. Caught out when Dykes nodded in.
Pieters 4
Required help from teammate Ajayi to get him out of trouble after the lively Dykes had pick pocketed him early on. Pass back to Griffiths might've been dealt with by the keeper himself, but did the ball need to go back to him? Passing was amiss generally, particularly long balls.
Townsend 5
Was teed up inside the area when Albion came close to finding the net for a third time in the first half. Quality of delivery down the left though was otherwise poor, and often into the gloves of Dieng.
Chalobah 4
There were infrequent nice touches to get Albion on their way, but Chalobah was often guilty of being too casual on the ball, which resulted in him giving up possession. QPR, and Sam Field namely, won the midfield battle in the division with urgency and tenacity.
Gardner-Hickman 4
Good work in the build up to Ajayi's goal, when he found Albrighton out wide, but Gardner-Hickman looked otherwise nervy in the first half. He was sloppy in possession and his retention of the ball was an issue.
Wallace 5
At one point the left winger was racing across the pitch to the right-back area to win a throw in for Albion as QPR pressed forward. Work-rate always likely to be high with Wallace, but not as much quality today.
Albrighton 5
Given the nod and introduced on the right hand side, his preferred position. Found Swift from the right, in the build up to Ajayi's goal. Some nice interchanges on the right hand side but nothing substantial in the final third.
Swift 5
Superb delivery from the free kick to create Thomas-Asante's opener, and he inadvertently contributed to Ajayi's goal minutes later. Dead balls generally posed questions of QPR over the course of the match, though would've liked to have seen more of him in open play situations.
Thomas-Asante 7*
Relief for Thomas-Asante as he broke his duck, and that relief was evident in his celebration. Dominated aerially by Balogun as Albion went direct in getting the ball forward, but he doesn't stop. Appreciative reception when withdrawn.
Substitutes
Rogic (for Gardner-Hickman 61) 5
One or two nice touches but, a little like Friday his cameo didn't amount to much in the penalty area, or in front of goal.
Grant (for Albrighton 62) 5
A little like Rogic, Grant didn't make a significant impact from the bench. Dragged one shot wide.
Molumby (for Chalobah 76)
Dike (for Thomas-Asante 76)
Substitutes not used: Palmer, Ingram, Andrews
Queens Park Rangers starting XI: Dieng, Dunne, Dickie, Amos (Dozzell 82), Chair (Richards 83), Martin, Field, Paal, Balogun, Dykes, Adomah (Lowe 71).
Substitutes: Archer, Johansen, Willock, Laird.
GOALS
Albion - Thomas-Asante 10, Ajayi 13; QPR - Dykes 22, Martin 49
The ref: Matthew Donohue
Attendance: 23,969 (1,231 away)
Up next: Stoke City (A) - Saturday 15 April, 3pm kick off