Fully aware of the implications of the night, QPR flew out of the traps and it took Ilias Chair just eight minutes to open the scoring.
The Morrocan forward cut inside from the left wing and his curling shot took a huge deflection, wrong-footed Illan Meslier and flew into the net.
Leeds would have to comeback from conceding an early goal for a second consecutive match to keep their promotion hopes rolling and the recalled Joël Piroe went closest to levelling with two low strikes that Asmir Begović repelled.
However, the Whites’ big response never came and the Rs were back on top in front of a fervent Loftus Road.
QPR fully utilised their momentum and pounced again when Leeds failed to clear their lines, allowing Lucas Andersen to drive into the box and fire his first-ever goal for the west Londoners past Meslier.
There were signs of hope for Leeds late in the first half and Crysencio Summerville’s stinging volley was parried to safety by Begović.
Leeds applied pressure after HT in the hope of bouncing back and sealing a first win at Loftus Road since 2017.
Yet, the Whites’ struggles in front of goal continued as Georginio Rutter failed to convert from six yards, dragging his shot inches wide.
For all their effort, Leeds couldn’t find the breakthrough and were eventually punished by a third Hoops goal 20 minutes from time.
Lyndon Dykes did the damage with a glancing header from Chair’s corner.
Sam Field then added a late fourth with a towering header from Chair’s inch-perfect free-kick to put the gloss on a result that secures the Hoops’ place in the second tier for a tenth consecutive season.
QPR took their chances expertly and Martí Cifuentes’ side were rewarded for their ruthlessness by avoiding the drop to League One.
At the other end of the table, this result leaves Leeds at the mercy of third-place Ipswich Town now, who sit one point behind with two games in hand.
Defeat for Daniel Farke’s outfit also confirmed Leicester’s promotion back to the Premier League.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ilias Chair (QPR)
