It was a case of too little, too late as Ipswich Town went down to a 2-1 defeat at Queens Park Rangers this afternoon.

The hosts scored either side of half-time through Jamie Mackie (44) and Luke Freeman (49), with Town not really responding until the final moments of the match.

Substitute Bersant Celina scored a super 89th minute goal to set home nerves jangling, with fellow sub Tom Adeyemi then putting a golden chance over the bar deep into stoppage-time.

In truth a draw would flattered the Blues though given that Ian Holloway’s side had been pressing for a third for much of the second half.

There was little between the sides during the first half, but you always sensed the Hoops were getting plenty of joy down the flanks and eventually that told as Mackie side-footed home Pawel Wszolek’s low cross after debutant Callum Connolly switched off momentarily at the far post. There looked to be a handball from Massimo Luongo during the build-up.

The killer second goal, scored less than four minutes after the restart, came after the Blues backed off in unison, allowing Freeman to net with a toe-punt finish from the edge of the box.

QPR pushed for a third as Luongo twice had decent long-range efforts, substitute Matt Smith went close, while Town survived an almighty goalmouth scramble at a corner.

Mick McCarthy introduced Freddie Sears and Adeyemi as his first subs, in the 66th minute, eventually bringing Celina on in the 76th minute. The Manchester City loanee soon showed his pedigree when jinking inside, feinting twice to create half a yard of room before rifling a shot just inside the post from the edge of the box.

Town’s travelling army of more than 2,000 supporters tried to suck the ball in at their end of the field during five minutes of stoppage-time. It almost happened after Celina’s deep free-kick was nodded down by Dominic Iorfa, with Adeyemi taking a touch on his thigh before lashing over.

After winning their opening four games, Town have now lost two on the spin either side of the international break. With Tuesday night’s scheduled game at Derby postponed, their next game is the visit of Bolton next Saturday.

QPR (4-3-3): Smithies; Baptiste, Onuoha, Robinson, Bidwell; Scowen, Freeman, Luongo; Wszolek (Wheeler 77), Washinton (Smith 82), Mackie (Lualua 82).

Unused subs: Lumley, Furlong, Manning, Osayi-Samuel.

Booked: Freeman (90)

IPSWICH TOWN (4-3-3): Bialkowski; Connolly, Spence, Iorfa, Knudsen; Ward (Celina 76), Skuse, Downes (Adeyemi 66); McGoldrick, Garner, Waghorn (Sears 66).

Unused subs: Gerken, Woolfenden, Kenlock, Rowe.

Booked: Downes (34)

Attendance: 14,060 (2,384 away)

Referee: Mr A Davies