KIDDERMINSTER Harriers produced a battling display but still crashed out of the LDV Vans Trophy at the first hurdle last night as Second Division Queen's Park Rangers cruised to a 2-0 victory at Loftus Road.

In what was a very low-key tie, Harriers were far more determined than in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Southend United. Ultimately Rangers, despite resting a number of key players, proved too good for under.fire Ian Britton's struggling side.

Harriers did not have a shot on target in the entire 90 minutes, while Rangers looked very composed in possession and overall their pace and movement was just too much for Kidderminster.

Kidderminster skipper Adam Willis, who was an unused substitute, acknowledged the fact afterwards, saying: "QPR deserved it, they were the better team.

"There was a gulf in class, which you could see. They kept the ball well and had pace and power.

"Pace was the main difference on the night, although we didn't turn the possession we had, into chances. The final pass has let us down, which is something we need to work on."

Rangers went in front five minutes before half-time, in what was a disappointing first-half. Martin Rowlands released Eric Sabin on the right and he squared the ball to Richard Pacquette who swept the ball past Stuart Brock from 15 yards.

If the first 45 minutes had been disappointing, the second was almost a non-event. Chances were few and far between, but with nine minutes remaining, Rangers sealed a deserved victory. Gino Padula's right-wing corner was headed home by the unmarked Arthur Gnohere.

Harriers' best chance had come in the first quarter of an hour. Left-back Scott Stamps released John Melligan, but he shot wide when under pressure from a home defender.

More worryingly though for Harriers was the fact that Melligan limped off with 10 minutes remaining, with a hamstring injury.

Kidderminster: Brock 6, Coleman 7*, Stamps 6, Hinton 6, Smith 6, Gadsby 6 (Parrish, 80), D. Williams 6, Ward 5, Shilton 4 (Bennett, 54, 5), Melligan 6 (Lew-is, 80), J. Williams 4. Subs (not used): Willis, Betts.

QPR: Culkin, Forbes, Padula, Bircham (Palmer 80), Sabin, Rowlands, Pacquette, (Gallen 75) Bean, Oli (Thorpe 75), Barton and Gnohere. Subs (not used) Ainsworth and Furlong.

Attendance: 3,671.