Dexter Blackstock consigned Charlton to another season in the Championship as classy QPR offered a glimpse of things to come with a 1-0 win.Blackstock grabbed his third goal in three games to leave Alan Pardew's side with no chance of reaching the play-offs.

The Addicks kicked off knowing only a win would keep their faint hopes alive, but instead they put in an error-strewn performance and looked beaten from the moment Blackstock's 15th-minute effort hit the net.

So poor was their display, the travelling fans began ironically chanting 'ole' when their side managed to string more than two passes together.

By contrast Rangers, with seemingly little to play for having long since banished any fears of relegation, look a side destined for a bright future under their mega-rich owners, Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.

The hosts, who were bottom of the table when they won at The Valley in October, will be among the favourites for promotion next season and at times showed why.

Teenage forward Angelo Balanta, in the line-up after Patrick Agyemang failed a late fitness test, wasted their first opportunity after being played in by Gavin Mahon, only to rifle his shot into the side-netting.

But Rangers were soon ahead when Patrick McCarthy failed to deal with a high ball and allowed Blackstock to saunter past him far too easily.

McCarthy made up his ground in the penalty area but Blackstock expertly turned the centre-half again before placing a left-footed shot past Nicky Weaver.

Pardew was dealt a further blow five minutes later when former Rangers winger Lee Cook limped off to warm applause from the home fans.

McCarthy's torrid afternoon nearly got even worse when the ball ricocheted off his shin from just outside the area and flew inches over his own crossbar.

Charlton's dismal first half was summed up when Leroy Lita finally caught sight of goal, only to take his eye off the ball and miskick wildly on the edge of the box.

Things did not improve after the break, with Damien Delaney almost putting Rangers two up with a header which only just dropped the wrong side of Weaver's post.

Martin Rowlands warmed Weaver's fingertips with a fizzing free-kick before substitute Chris Iwelumo fluffed Charlton's best chance.

Darren Ambrose kept Luke Varney's cross in and found Iwelumo, who swivelled in the six-yard box, only to skew his shot over the top.

The impressive Balanta could have put the seal on Rangers' excellent display but his weak header floated wide, while Lee Camp kept out a late Ambrose effort as Rangers held out.

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