Queens Park Rangers will definitely be in the Championship next season after beating fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Loftus Road.

The Hoops were so unlucky not take the lead after just five minutes. Pawel Wszolek cut in from the right and went for the bottom corner, but Forest keeper Jordon Smith pulled off a great stop.

Conor Washington followed up on the loose ball, which came back across to Matt Smith, whose header was brilliantly saved by Smith on the line.

Fans' player of the year Alex Smithies was called into action, pulling off a stunning save over his crossbar to stop Mustapha Carayol's stinging effort towards the top corner.

There wasn't much to shout about from either side after that towards the end of the first period, with Massimo Luongo's long range effort one moment to note.

Strike pair Smith and Washington continued to put themselves about for the Hoops, but in truth both side kept on cancelling each other out and unable to take authority.

Rangers began the second half brightly and took the lead on 49 minutes through Washington, who was sent through on goal before lifting over the advancing Smith.

And it was 2-0 soon after on the hour. Freeman's corner was squared back across goal by Ryan Manning for Joel Lynch to nod home his second goal in as many games.

Manning nearly made it 3-0 a minute later with a scorching drive but it went narrowly over.

Forest nearly grabbed one back through substitute Jamie Ward, who shot through a sea of bodies, Smithies made the initial stop but spilled the ball, only to redeem himself by palming the loose ball away.

Smithies pulled off another good save from Ward, after he and Lynch failed to communicate a long ball clearly, and he made another save soon after from David Vaughan.

Smithies kept the best save until last, reacting superbly to deny Britt Assambolonga when the striker looked certain to score. Take a bow, Smithies. Superb performance.

Substitute Yeni Ngbakoto nearly wrapped up all three points at the death when he looked to connect with a ball over the top, but he volleyed over.

Rangers travel to Norwich City next weekend for the final game of the season. Forest, though, face a very nervous outcome.

QPR: Smithies, Perch, Onuoha, Lynch, Bidwell, Luongo (c), Manning, Freeman (Doughty 82), Wszolek, Smith (Ngbakoto 82), Washington (Mackie 66).

Subs Not Used: Ingram, Furlong, Lua Lua, Sylla.

Referee: Mr J Linnington

Report by Mark Ritson, at Loftus Road, for Get West London