QPR 2-0 Nottingham Forest: Hoops leave Forest in relegation danger

Nottingham Forest go into the final game of the season in serious danger of relegation after losing 2-0 at QPR, whose victory ensured their Sky Bet Championship survival.

Conor Washington and Joel Lynch scored early in the second half for Rangers to end their six-match losing run. Wins for fellow-strugglers Birmingham and Blackburn left Forest one place above the drop zone, ahead of Rovers on goal difference only.

It means the East Midlands club, who are at home to Ipswich next weekend, will go down if they fail to at least match Blackburn's result - Rovers are away to Brentford.

Joe Worrall's indecisive challenge let in Washington four minutes into the second period. Luongo played the ball forward and Washington wriggled away from Worrall before firing beyond Smith for his first goal in 11 appearances.

Lynch then scored his third goal of the season against his former club to double Rangers' lead on the hour mark. When Luke Freeman's right-wing corner was cleared as far as Ryan Manning, the Irish youngster sent the ball back into the penalty area and Lynch headed home from close range.

Forest responded with a spell of sustained pressure in which they very nearly pulled a goal back. After Worrall's header from Ben Osborn's corner was cleared off the line by Manning, the ball eventually broke to Jamie Ward, whose shot was fumbled by Smithies before the R's keeper managed to complete the save.

Matty Cash then missed a great chance for the visitors, shooting wastefully wide of the near post after being set up by Ward's clever pass.

Smithies, Rangers' player of the season, atoned for some uncharacteristically uncertain moments with a stunning late save to deny Cash.

Again Ward was the provider pulling the ball back for Cash, whose first-time strike was pushed away at point-blank range.

QPR boss Ian Holloway:

"It's a relief for everybody, but the job starts now. It (the threat of relegation) has been on everybody's mind, including the supporters. I'm delighted with the lads. They needed the fans and the fans were absolutely brilliant - they must have felt nervous but it didn't transmit to my team.

"I didn't want to go to Norwich on the final day needing a point or three. I'm really pleased we've got over the line. I can't wait to have the summer and a pre-season. They need to be fit and they'll have a chance to develop a way of playing.

"Are we going to spend masses of money? No. And I wouldn't want to do that anyway. But we will be moving the club forward. I know I haven't won enough games. But no-one wants it more than me and I want this club to move forward."

Nottingham Forest boss Mark Warburton:

"We had to expect other teams to win. We know what we have to do. We're at home and our focus is now on preparing well and getting a good performance. It's up to us. We're at home. We can't control what happens away from us, and we have enough quality.

"It's an honest group of players we've got. I can't question their work ethic, and I want them to get their rewards. They're professionals. They know what's involved. They have a responsibility to themselves, their families, the supporters and the club - we all do."