LAST-gasp winners have become a regular feature of Town games recently, so perhaps it should have been no surprise that sooner or later the Blues would find themselves on the wrong end of a final-minutes sickener.

Having won three out of their last four home league matches in what manager Mick McCarthy would refer to as “the last knockings” – including the Boxing Day win against QPR – the boot was firmly on the other foot on Saturday with Matt Phillips heading home the only goal for the Hoops in the 88th minute.

In truth, Rangers – who coincidentally won 1-0 in the final minute when Town last visited in 2013 – would have had the game done and dusted in the first half but for an inspired display from Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski. The blustery wind probably played a part in that but Town never really got going and they were grateful to go in with the scores level at the break.

The second half was more of a contest, the wind perhaps helping to even things up, and the Blues were actually on top for the first time when the home side scored.

There were further chances after Phillips’ goal but QPR keeper Alex Smithies was in similar form to Bialkowski.

It was an unusually under par away performance from the Blues, who have been so impressive on the road this season.

McCarthy left Daryl Murphy on the bench and handed Brett Pitman and Luke Varney starts after their match-winning substitute displays against Reading a few days earlier, but Town missed the Irish international’s physical presence and were more themselves once he was introduced in the second half.

A bad afternoon was made worse by first Cole Skuse and then Ryan Fraser going off with injuries, Luke Hyam having already missed out with a calf niggle.

Hyam isn’t too far away from a return but Skuse’s ankle knock is going sideline him for at least a month, and Fraser is set to be out for six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury.

While Fulham’s Ben Pringle is set to sign on loan as cover, the loss of Fraser for a second lengthy spell is a big blow for the Blues with the season-long loanee from Bournemouth amongst the favourites for the club’s Player of the Year award.

Bialkowski’s excellent goalkeeping display was the highlight of a disappointing afternoon at Loftus Road, the Pole having come back into the team after Dean Gerken suffered a shoulder injury at Birmingham.

The ex-Colchester man is only 10 days or so away from being fit again but it would be harsh on Bialkowski, who has revealed that he is close to signing a new Town contract, if he doesn’t keep his place.

McCarthy has said he sees little between his two number ones and the man in possession usually continues to get the nod until such time as there’s a significant drop in form, an injury or some other factor which causes him to miss out.

Saturday’s result saw the Blues drop to seventh with Sheffield Wednesday jumping above them into sixth following their 2-1 win at Birmingham, who are eighth, a point behind the Blues.

But there’s far too much of the season remaining to get too concerned about weekly positional fluctuations.

The next set of results could see Town return to the play-off places, while Derby – who are now down to fifth – are continuing their mid-season implosion with head coach Paul Clement having been sacked only eight months after taking charge.

Town have a chance to get back to their more usual away form at Bristol City on Saturday. The Robins, whose new manager Lee Johnson will be taking charge of his first game, have spent the season in the division’s lower reaches after being promoted in May.

When the teams met at Portman Road in September the Blues allowed the visitors to claim a 2-2 draw from a match they ought to have had won.

City’s recent form has been up and down but it’s notable that their last home victory was against second-placed Middlesbrough a month ago. However, it’s a match Town will believe they can win.

The scoreline the last time the Blues were at Ashton Gate in 2013? Bristol City won 2-1 with former Blue Jon Stead scoring the winner. In the final minute. When else?