Pictures and analysis of Queens Park Rangers 1 West Brom 2

Halfway through a magnificent season and West Brom have all but accomplished their primary mission.

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Now, as 2012 draws to a close, it is time for boss Steve Clarke and Co to reset their sights for 2013.

The 40-point mantra that has governed their ambitions for the first half of Clarke's debut campaign has served them well in their opening 19 games.

But now, as they round the turn on the back of a battling victory at Loftus Road, the Baggies can begin to aim higher.

One more victory and a couple of draws from their final 19 games should take care of the formality of securing Premier League safety for another year.

After ending their winter wobble with a tense win against Norwich days earlier, Clarke's men followed it up with their first double of the season in an all-action contest at Loftus Road.

And, while it was not without its hiccups before or after the game, it said much about the spirit that has carried the side to the brink of a genuinely special season.

They survived the disruptions of the heavy holiday London traffic that saw the kick-off put back by 15 minutes and West Brom's arrival delayed until after 2pm.

And they withstood a late barrage from an under-pressure Queens Park Rangers side. Harry Redknapp could feel aggrieved at the result. Clarke will care little.

His side stood firm in the face of an onslaught from the hosts to move to 33 points. Their oft-stated target is now within touching distance, while Clarke's pre-season target of 50 points now seems very achieveable.

Sixty points is far from inconceivable and that would give Clarke and Co a chance of European football. It is no longer a pipe dream, it can be a genuine target.

West Brom's disrupted preparations, which saw kitman Pat Frost fill out the teamsheet under instructions from a coach stranded on the M40, were followed by a disappointing opening minute in which they struggled to escape their own half.

Shaun Wright-Phillips managed to skip between two West Brom defenders on the QPR left and cross towards the far post, where Jamie Mackie stole a yard on Goran Popov.

The Rangers wide man should have hit the target but glanced his header comfortably wide of the post. But, while QPR had carved out the half-chances, West Brom had held their own in general play.

And they went ahead on 29 minutes thanks to Chris Brunt's bolt from the blue. The Baggies captain let fly from 30 yards with a brilliant daisy-cutter that beat the diving Rob Green and nestled in the bottom corner.

West Brom suffered a blow when Popov limped off with a hamstring pull and Gareth McAuley had to make a hurried, headed clearance as QPR continued to deliver from the flanks.

But, as half-time approached, the visitors grew in confidence and were only threatened when Clint Hill headed off target from a corner.

And on the stroke of half-time a fine, jinking run from James Morrison helped him set up Zoltan Gera, who bent a shot just wide from the edge of the box.

There was a decent opening at the start of the second half when Youssouf Mulumbu won possession in midfield and drove towards goal before feeding Romelu Lukaku, but the pair got in each other's way and the opportunity went begging.

But the second goal arrived in controversial fashion on 50 minutes from Brunt's umpteenth dangerous corner. This time Jamie Mackie headed it into the air and, as Green was challenged by Fortune, the QPR goalkeeper fell over the line.

Rangers players screamed for a free-kick for Fortune's challenge but referee Chris Foy awarded the goal. It could have become a stroll for the visitors had Lukaku taken a fabulous chance moments later after being played in by Mulumbu.

But Green partly redeemed himself by making a smart, low save at the feet of the striker. Green denied Lukaku again with 25 minutes left after the big striker was sent racing clear by a brilliant pass by Brunt and hit a shot from a tight angle.

The home side then set up an exciting finish with 22 minutes remaining as Cisse struck. He nipped too easily between the centre-backs to collect Stephane Mbia's neat through-ball before rifling a shot past goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Then came a ferocious late assault by Rangers, who saw Hill's goalbound header blocked on the line by Mulumbu before Liam Ridgewell escaped what looked a blatant penalty when he blocked in the box with his arm.

Rangers laid siege to the away goal for five minutes of stoppage time but they could not breach the Baggies' defences.

By Steve Madeley