Forced into making changes by injury and suspension, Bristol City boss Gary Johnson recalled Dele Adebola, Cole Skuse and Ivan Sproule in place of Louis Carey, Stern John and Gavin Williams, in the process reverting to the 4-3-3 formation which served his team well in games against Watford and Crystal Palace at Christmas.

And there was a surprise on the substitutes' bench in the form of midfielder Marvin Elliott, restored to the first team squad for the first time since tearing a groin muscle at Plymouth Argyle in January.

Rangers' top scorer Dexter Blackstock failed a late fitness test, but winger Wayne Routledge had recovered sufficiently from the injury which ruled him out of the 1-0 midweek win over Swansea to return to the bench.

This was a game neither side could afford to lose, given their positions outside of the play-off zone. Defeat would all but end Rangers' slim hopes of achieving a top-six finish, while City, four points adrift of the play-off places before kick-off, required victory to put pressure on the likes of Burnley, Preston and Cardiff.

Just as they did last season when they beat the Robins 3-0 at Loftus Road, the home side started brightly and twice threatened during the opening exchanges, Mikele Leigertwood shooting wide from range and Matteo Alberti testing Adriano Basso with a low shot which the keeper went down to gather.

City quickly reasserted themselves and had claims for a penalty turned down by referee Graham Hegley after the ball appeared to brush Jordi Lopez on the upper arm during the melee which ensued following a Lee Johnson corner kick.

When Rangers midfielder Adel Taarabt went to ground a little too easily under challenge from Skuse in the other 18 yard box moments later, the referee issued the first yellow card of the afternoon.

The home crowd came to life on 22 minutes, Hogan Ephraim taking advantage of weak challenges from Bradley Orr and Liam Fontaine to put Taarabt through on goal. But Basso was equal to his angled shot, hurling himself to his left to push the ball behind for a corner.

Although the Loftus Road playing surface was hard and bumpy, it was not entirely to blame for City's poor passing at times, a shortcoming which caused several promising situations to fizzle out.

Ephraim's direct running was causing City some concern and another thrust deep into enemy territory presented Alberti with a clear sight of goal, only for the Italian's shot to be smothered by Basso.

City carved out the clearest chance so far on the half hour, Adebola out-jumping Kaspars Gorkss and directing a header into the path of Nicky Maynard, who was left with only keeper Radek Cerny to beat. But the striker snatched at his shot from 15 yards and sent the ball sailing high and harmlessly into the crowd, who responded in derisive fashion.

Opportunity beckoned for the visitors on the stroke of half-time, Adebola going down under duress from Damien Delaney to earn a free kick in a threatening position on the edge of the 18 yard box. On the scoresheet against Coventry recently, Jamie McAllister's shot lacked accuracy on this occasion and flew some distance wide of the target.