As that much-parodied advert might state: watching Queens Park Rangers on Saturday – £50; seeing your team win their first away match for 18 months – priceless.

Or rather, it was, for the travelling fans who enjoyed taunting the home supporters about the cost of tickets. Outside Loftus Road a leaflet was handed out by fans stating: “We need to fill the ground with fans, not price out our loyal fan base. We urge the board to now withdraw all price increases and match banding.”

An attempt by QPR to raise the cost of tickets for away supporters to £40 was blocked by the Football League, but, with Derby County designated Category A opposition, tickets for home fans increased to £50.

“When people are struggling for cash, it would be nice if people could make football more affordable for the guy in the street,” Paul Jewell, the Derby manager, said, but he accepted the classification compliment. Derby were a class above a side who had boasted an unbeaten home run and had earlier in the week knocked Aston Villa out of the Carling Cup.

That victory put QPR in the fourth-round draw, made just before kick-off, and may have had an effect on their performance. They face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

“The lads were buzzing and then the gaffer [Iain Dowie] said, ‘Forget about that, it’s Derby at home.’ So we forgot about it and concentrated on today,” Lee Cook, the QPR midfield player, said. “I don’t think that affected us. It was one of those days where passes weren’t going where they should. Probably six or seven of the team weren’t at it.”

QPR conceded both goals from corner kicks and Derby looked the more threatening throughout.

“How much would I have paid to watch a win like that?” Jewell said. “Well, whatever it was to get in. We can’t keep bleeding fans dry. We’ve got to give them something back, otherwise we’ll drive them into pubs and they’ll watch on TV. We want the grounds full and the atmosphere is what we all thrive on. It’s my first away win for 18 months and for ten minutes we’ve talked about tickets.”

Queens Park Rangers (4-2-3-1): R Cerny – M Connolly, F Hall, D Stewart, D Delaney – G Mahon (sub: M Leigertwood, 71min), D Parejo – E Ledesma (sub: P Agyemang, 78), M Rowlands, A Buzsaky (sub: L Cook, 57) – D Blackstock. Substitutes not used: L Camp, P Ramage. Booked: Ledesma.

Derby County (4-4-2): R Carroll – P Connolly, D Leacock, M Albrechtsen, J Stewart – N Barazite (sub: S Davies, 84), P Green, M Addison, S Pearson – N Ellington (sub: E Villa, 76), R Hulse. Substitutes not used: S Bywater, P Kazmierczak, L Nyatanga. Booked: Leacock.

Referee: A Taylor. Attendance: 14,311.