Kaspars Gorkss headed an 82nd-minute winner as QPR boosted their promotion prospects with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Both sides created a host of opportunities in an entertaining Coca-Cola Championship clash, which looked destined to finish level after Jermaine Johnson had cancelled out Jay Simpson's early opener.

But Gorkss ensured Rangers claimed a fourth away win in six matches when he met a corner from substitute Alejandro Faurlin with a firm near-post header.

Simpson opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a cool left-footed finish after he had been released by the impressive Adel Taarabt.

But Johnson pulled the Owls level within three minutes as he converted a teasing left-wing cross from Darren Potter.

Wednesday struck the woodwork on two occasions and the visitors were also denied by the post as chances came at either end, yet there were to be no further goals until Gorkss' late intervention.