Southampton manager George Burley felt his side were good value for their 2-0 win over Coca-Cola Championship rivals QPR despite leaving it late at Loftus Road yesterday.

Saints looked to be heading for a fifth draw in six matches, a run which sees them stuck in the play-off picture rather than challenging for automatic promotion, until top scorer Grzegorz Rasiak bundled home his 17th goal of the season from Gareth Bale's corner with nine minutes remaining.

Former Saints striker Dexter Blackstock thought he had levelled with a carbon-copy goal moments later but his celebrations were cut short by referee Trevor Kettle's whistle.

And Saints made the game safe in stoppage time when Bradley Wright-Phillips combined with fellow substitute David McGoldrick before tucking the ball past Simon Royce.

''We left it late, but it's better late than never,'' said Burley.

''We stepped it up in the second half and built up the pressure and over the 90 minutes I thought we deserved the three points.

''We brought on Bradley and David and they gave us a bit more of a threat going forward, and Bradley's goal was from a great through-ball from David.

''We've got a nice balance in attack with the young lads and the experience of Grzegorz".

Burley admitted Rangers counterpart John Gregory could be forgiven for feeling disappointed after Rasiak's goal was given and Blackstock's was chalked off.

Wright-Phillips appeared to block home goalkeeper Simon Royce but nothing was given, while at the other end Damion Stewart was penalised for a foul on Kelvin Davis.

''To be honest I thought both goals were fouls,'' added the Scot.

"Both goalkeepers were nudged and for me they were both free-kicks so if I was John Gregory I'd be very disappointed".

All eyes were on Bale, the 17-year-old left-back who is the talk of the January transfer window and the subject of a failed £8million bid from Manchester United.

And Wales' youngest international did not disappoint with a display full of purposeful running and dangerous crosses to show why he is coveted so much by the top clubs, although Burley maintains he is going nowhere until at least the summer.

Gregory was left dejected by referee Kettle's intervention, and bemoaned his side's luck as they continue to look over their shoulders at the drop zone.

''Our goalkeeper got fouled by Bradley Wright-Phillips and Damion Stewart has done the same thing to Kelvin Davis,'' he said.

''If anything I thought their keeper ran into Damion, tripped over and dropped the ball. Normally, the slightest contact and you get a free-kick.

''The ref got it blatantly wrong. It knocked the stuffing out of us. But these things seem to happen when you are down at the bottom.

''But I thought our boys were fantastic. Southampton have spent money and they are an experienced side who know how to win and we matched them.

''I felt we had done enough to get a draw. We fought like tigers and we have to - we are fighting for our lives".

For the best report, reaction and pictures from QPR v Saints, don't miss tomorrow's Daily Echo.