QPR got a deserved rub the green as they claimed a point at Newcastle.
For long periods, it was difficult to tell who was top and who was 18th.
And just when it looked as if they were going to be denied a share of the spoils, Ciaran Clark obliged with a back headed own goal to the delight of 610 travelling fans behind the goal.
After a disastrous start and a Jonjo Shelvey goal for Newcastle in the opening 38 seconds
A mere 38 seconds were on the clock when Pawel Wszolek and Massimo Luongo allowed Isaac Hayden to wriggle free and chip across the face of goal.
Jake Bidwell's header out was equally tame, and Shelvey picked up the tasty morsel to rifle back past Alex Smithies.
Conor Washington's control was top drawer a bit later, but his pass square in the Newcastle box was slow and bobbly and the ball was nicked off the toe of Wszolek as tried get control.
Luongo's header right demanded Karl Darlow go full length to save.
Bidwell atoned brilliantly when he got his foot over a half-cleared corner to drive goalwawrd. But the killer control from Washington allowed him and a combination of Clark's toe, poked the ball over the line.
Against the run of play, Hayden again with another fine cross chipped to the far post where Matt Ritchie rose highest to head back and across Smithies for 2-1.
Two terrific saves from Alex Smithies, three if you count the punch out after he denied Yoan Gouffran, kept Rangers in it.
And when Clark got an unwitting head on a delicious Kazenga LuaLua cross to loop over his keeper - the vital saves proved their weight in gold.
Alex Smithies is now worth...?
Holloway dismissed GetWestLondon's question about how much the terrific keeper is worth. Maybe, the gaffer was worried someone would still come in with the telephone number he plucked out of the air.
When QPR press they cause anyone problems - even the Champions elect
What's that about attack being the best form of defence? Jamie Mackie epitomises the chasing crisp packets policy that put Newcastle on the back foot for large chunks of the game.
However, they didn't do it against Burton, and it has to every game.
Conor Washington looks a different player
The striker admits himself he's a confidence player, and after he scored earlier in the season, there wasn't an immediate second. There is now. Is this finally the turning point?
Ryan Manning and Darnell Furlong have a way to go
Great return from Furlong; great recent debut from Manning - but Furlong played an unwitting part in Newcastle's first goal and was out-jumped easily for the second.
Manning's pass selection took a rain-check at St James's Park. No matter, both will come again.
Four players with powder puff efforts for Newcastle opener - Ollie won't be pleased
The gaffer was nothing of not who hearted as a player. In order, Darnell Furlong, and certainly Pawel Wszolek, Mass Luongo and Jake Bidwell should have shown a bit more steel.
Rangers are missing Grant Hall already in the centre of defence.
