Before the game Rangers boss John Gregory had warned the club's supporters that they were in "serious trouble" in the league but he got the result at Loftus Road he wanted.
Gregory welcomed back Lee Cook to his starting line-up after the midfielder recovered from a rib injury.
And it was Cook who nearly opened the scoring in the third minute when his in-swinging corner forced Barnsley keeper Nick Colgan to make a hurried save.
Colgan was called into action three minutes later when Ray Jones wriggled free in the area. The striker's shot had plenty of pace but it was straight at Colgan, who saved smartly.
The Republic of Ireland stopper knew he was going to be in for a busy afternoon when Rowlands then tried his luck from 14 yards, forcing him to make a save at full-stretch.
But Rangers did not have to wait long to find a way past Colgan. Cook's surging run from the left wing was neatly finished off by Rowlands inside the box in the 15th minute.
The midfielder's sixth goal of the season brought an end to QPR's goal drought that had lasted 286 minutes.
The goal was what Rangers deserved as Barnsley's best chance came when a lofted ball into the box was cleared off the line by Marcus Bignot.
But going behind sparked the Tykes into life as they looked to claw their way back into the game. Leon Knight almost pulled them level in the 32nd minute when he raced clear of the Rangers defence.
However, he was first denied by an excellent recovery tackle by Damion Stewart, who then hacked Knight's second attempt clear to safety.
After the interval it was Rangers who resumed control of the game. Cook again was the main threat when he ran from midfield but he could not apply the finish.
Dexter Blackstock then missed two chances to put QPR further ahead. First he dragged his shot from the edge of the box wide of the post, and then he latched on to Cook's pass, but his blistering shot was well saved by Colgan.
Barnsley were again static in attack. Knight worked hard but was not picked out by his team-mates, while Daniel Nardiello looked to be on a different planet at times, aimlessly plodding around.
Ironically, the former Manchester United star could have pulled Barnsley level near the end but planted his shot straight at a defender.
Rangers' slump was ended, while Barnsley's caretaker manager Simon Davey certainly has his work cut out.
Coca Cola Championship Results: Saturday 23rd December 2006
Burnley 0-0 Derby
Ipswich 0-1 Stoke
Leeds 0-0 Hull
Leicester 0-0 Cardiff
Luton 3-1 Coventry
Plymouth 2-2 West Brom
Preston 1-0 Colchester
QPR 1-0 Barnsley
Sheffield Wednesday 3-3 Southampton
Southend 0-4 Birmingham
Wolves 2-2 Norwich
Friday 22nd December 2006
Crystal Palace 1-0 Sunderland
Barnsley lie in 21st place in the Coca Cola Championship with 23 points from 24 games. We are 17 points off the Play-Offs, 21 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 26 points off First Place and 2 points above the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Barnsley v Burnley Tuesday 26th December 2006 Kick Off 3pm
Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday Saturday 30th December 2006 Kick Off 1pm PLEASE NOT EARLIER KICK OFF TIME! THIS GAME IS NOW ALL TICKET AND NO TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE DAY OF THE GAME.
Tickets for the big games are priced at:
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £22.00
OAP/Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
Barnsley Chronicle Family Area
Adults £22.00
OAP £13.00
Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
Enterprise PLC Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
All Disabled Areas £20.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
To book tickets for forthcoming matches simply phone the Oakwell Box Office on 01226 211200. Alternatively call at the Box Office in person; contact the Box Office by fax on 01226 211444 or e-mail
boxoffice@barnsleyfc.co.uk. Please note that Juvenile U11 tickets must be purchased in advance from the Oakwell Box Office and this price will not be on sale on the turnstiles under any circumstances.On the Road:
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Barnsley Monday 1st January 2007 Kick Off 3pm.
Tickets:
Adults - £27.00
Senior Citizens: (Over 65) - £14.00
Juveniles (Under 17s) - £14.00
Student (with valid NUS card) - £14.00
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to Molineux.
Price: £11
The coach leaves Oakwell at 11:30am on the day of the game.