Charlton 0-1 Qpr

A controversial second-half strike from Adam Bolder gave QPR a surprise win at the Valley, lifting Rangers off the bottom of the table and condemning the Charlton to a third consecutive defeat.

QPR are now unbeaten in four games - having racked up two wins and two draws - leaving new owner Flavio Briatore with a difficult decision to make over caretaker manager Mick Harford. Briatore has been linked with a host of Italian coaches to succeed John Gregory in the permanent role but, must now be wondering whether the likes of Francesco Guidolin and Luigi de Canio would represent an improvement.

Indeed, Rangers could even have won by more, Martin Rowland's missing a penalty early in the second half. Charlton, meanwhile, displayed familiar failings in front of goal after bossing the opening stages. The Addicks made the first opening when Danny Mills threaded the ball through to Zheng Zhi, who slid in only to be denied by a brave block from Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp.

Grant Basey, an 18-year-old academy star making his full debut for Charlton at left-back, then showed he was not afraid to join the attack when he swung in a cross towards Chris Iwelumo at the far post. The target man headed the ball back across goal but Luke Varney, back in the attack in place of luckless injury-victim Svetoslav Todorov, squandered the opportunity.

Charlton should have taken a 17th-minute lead when Sam Sodje met Andy Reid's corner, but the defender's header shaved the Rangers crossbar. Varney then passed up a gilt-edged chance when, in the 22nd minute, he latched onto Lloyd Sam's through ball and burst clear, only to fire wastefully over the top.

Harford's half-time team talk appeared to have the desired effect as Rangers charged out of the blocks and were awarded a penalty in the 49th minute when Rowan Vine's jinking run into the area was crudely halted by Jonathan Fortune. Rowlands, who netted from the spot to earn Rangers their first win of the season against Norwich a fortnight ago, could not repeat the trick as his low shot cannoned back off Nicky Weaver's left-hand post.

Moments later Weaver was forced into a superb reflex save after Damion Stewart back heeled Rowland's' corner towards goal with Charlton reeling. Weaver then kept out Vine's 20-yard effort before Mikele Leigertwood came up with a shocking miss. The midfielder robbed Mills on the edge of the area and strode forward, only to slice his shot horribly wide.

Camp saved from Varney as Charlton briefly rallied but Rangers finally went in front in the 72nd minute. Weaver, who appeared to be held down by Rangers striker Marc Nygaard, flapped at Chris Barker's left-wing cross and the ball fell to skipper Bolder, who calmly slotted it into the unguarded net.

Addicks skipper Reid fired over and Camp pushed a curling Sam free-kick wide as Rangers held out for a vital win.