Last updated on .From the section Championship

Bright Osayi-Samuel ran from his own half before firing into the top of the net

Queens Park Rangers youngster Bright Osayi-Samuel scored one of the goals of the Championship season so far to seal victory for the resurgent Hoops against Birmingham City.

After captain Grant Hall had struck for QPR in first-half injury time, Blues had briefly looked like turning the tide early in the second half.

But 21-year-old Osayi-Samuel effectively closed the door on 67 minutes with a stunning solo effort.

Picking up the ball inside his own half, he galloped down the left flank, held off all challenges from the home defence and then lashed home a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.

Having started the night 15th in the Championship, a place below Blues on goal difference, QPR's second straight win elevates them to 12th, within three points of the play-off places.

But the euphoria of Saturday's 3-2 away win at Reading quickly evaporated for Blues as they suffered a third straight home game without a victory.

Other than a few moments of menace from Jeremie Bela down the right and the odd neat touch from teenager Jude Bellingham, the first half was for the most part 45 minutes of honest sweat and toil.

Kristian Pedersen did have a promising left-footed shot deflected wide for a corner and, from Bela's low delivery across the face of goal, Alvaro Gimenez slid in and only just failed to connect.

But on the stroke of half-time Blues failed to clear Eberechi Eze's right-wing free kick and Hall was on hand to stab home his third goal of the season.

And, once Osayi-Samuel had produced his bolt from the blue to brighten up the coldest of nights in the second city, Rangers were home and hosed.

While QPR are not due to arrive back until the early hours ahead of Saturday's trip to bottom club Barnsley, Blues have just as little turnaround time for their lunchtime derby with high-flying neighbours West Bromwich Albion.

Remembering two former managers

Jim Smith (right) managed Birmingham from 1978 to 1982

St Andrew's gave a very well received minute's applause before the game for two former Blues bosses.

Jim Smith, who also managed opponents QPR, and Ron Saunders, who succeeded him at St Andrew's in March 1982, both died in the last week.

Much-travelled Smith died on Tuesday aged 79, while Saunders died at the weekend after a long illness, at the age of 87.

Birmingham City boss Pep Clotet told BBC Sport:

"We could not find the right tempo. The first goal we should have defended better and it changed the game.

"For the second goal, Maxime Colin had a battle with their player to try to stop him but he had already been booked. Maybe that he had an effect.

"Jude Bellingham had to come off. He was playing well but he was struggling with his goal and I didn't want to take a risk with him."

QPR boss Mark Warburton told BBC Sport:

"Bright warmed the whole stadium up with that goal. He worked so hard for that and then the finish. He showed his power and desire.

"Pace scares the life out of you. The key with him is to get him doing what he does best, running at defenders.

"It's a tough place to come but getting that goal at the end of the first half was so important and it was our second successive clean sheet too. Very satisfying."