This seemed like the ideal opportunity for QPR to end a run of ten games without a win.
Notts County had only one previous home win to their credit and, hours before the kick-off, chairman Albert Scardino disclosed that he was in discussions with the PFA to seek to reduce the club's wage bill and cut their losses.
But the Notts players, far from being thrown out of their stride, produced their best all-round performance of the season as Rangers followed Northampton Town in going away pointless from Meadow Lane.
Notts set about their task with urgency and were two goals ahead inside the first quarter of an hour.
Darren Caskey, who returned to top form to dominate the midfield, fashioned two early goals to shake Rangers.
First Richard Liburd took deliberate aim from ten yards to beat Nick Culkin and then central defender Nick Fenton sent a flying header inside the goalkeeper's near post.
Notts continued to dominate and Danny Allsopp had their best chances to score further goals, somehow miscueing with a short-range header when it seemed easier to score.
Rangers were dangerous only in isolated breakaways but in one of these Brett Angel - who was on loan at Notts two seasons ago - forced a good save out of Steve Mildenhall.
The second half produced a more even contest and Mildenhall was twice pressed into service and held firm.
Just seven minutes from the finish a desperate mistake by Rangers central defender Clarke Carlisle finally gave Allsopp his chance for County's third goal - the first time this season they had registered more than two goals at Meadow Lane.
Notts manager Billy Dearden said afterwards that is was also significant that his side had kept a clean sheet for the first time in six matches.