Kevin Bond admitted it will now be “very difficult” for QPR to win automatic promotion after they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Blackpool.
Three points for Rangers would have taken them to within seven of second-placed Burnley, who were beaten at home by Championship leaders Leicester earlier in the day.
But they produced a lacklustre display and trailed to David Goodwillie’s 10th-minute goal before substitute Junior Hoilett fired home an equaliser with 11 minutes remaining.
“I think it’s going to be very difficult. It was always going to be, but we’ve made it more difficult,” said assistant manager Bond.
“Burnley got beaten today and it was just an opportunity for us. We didn’t take anything for granted though, you can’t assume anything, and it turned out to be a difficult game for us.
“The pace of the game was too slow. We weren’t dynamic enough and couldn’t get a tempo going. We had enough opportunities to win the game, but it wasn’t our day.
“We’re extremely disappointed we couldn’t make up more ground. But we’ve got to keep going and make sure we at least get a play-off spot.”
Getting their injured players back for the play-offs now appears to be the priority for Rangers, who have missed sidelined top scorer Charlie Austin.
They were at least boosted by the return of Danny Simpson – the defender came on as a substitute after more than two months out with a back problem.
Bond added: “We need to get a bit of momentum, need everybody fit going into the latter part of the season and see where it take us.
“Hopefully, as a minimum, we can make the play-offs, and if that’s the way it’s going to be then we want to be in a rich vein of form.
“The injuries haven’t helped us and the important thing for us to get everybody fit and to be in good form.”
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This post was last modified on 29/03/2014