Nat Phillips' header gave West Bromwich Albion the points
West Bromwich Albion beat Queens Park Rangers at The Hawthorns to ease the pressure on head coach Ryan Mason.
George Campbell opened the scoring with a header from a corner before QPR levelled through a Ousmane Diakite own goal, also via a set-piece.
Centre-half Nat Phillips restored Albion's lead early in the second half with a powerful header from Mikey Johnston's right-sided free-kick.
With Rangers pushing for another equaliser, the game opened up for both sides but West Brom held firm.
Albion had lost four of their previous five matches and their inability to convert dominance into wins has been a problem for them this season.
They dominated possession and territory again in the opening stages against Rangers - and were rewarded when United States international Campbell rose highest at the back post to break the deadlock in the 24th minute.
QPR responded well and drew level when Jimmy Dunne's header deflected off Diakite and past keeper Joe Wildsmith following Nicolas Madsen's left-wing free-kick.
The London side came close to taking the lead two minutes after the break when winger Kwame Poku's curled effort nipped the crossbar.
But Phillips' towering header from an excellent Johnston delivery soon swung the momentum back in Albion's favour.
West Brom survived late pressure, with Rangers' Sam Field heading narrowly wide against his former club.
'I felt really comfortable' - reaction
West Bromwich Albion head coach Ryan Mason told BBC Radio West Midlands: "Happy with the win, happy to respond because that was the most important thing today - just to find a way to win.
"I thought it was really good value. We played a good game. We were disciplined. We created numerous chances to score more goals.
"Unfortunate to concede, but I thought the players played a good game and we deserved to win. The challenge now is to get ready to go again.
"I think you're maybe nervous when you concede opportunities, but I don't think we were conceding anything.
"Maybe that's a feeling in the stadium at the moment because of where we are in the league, but I felt really comfortable.
"If anything, I was a bit disappointed we didn't score a third or a fourth, because the chances were there - we had opportunities."
Mason: 'We were good value for the win'
QPR head coach Julien Stephan told BBC Radio London:
"The players gave everything on the pitch, even if it was not enough today, and we will do the same in the next game.
"I think that will be different because we are back at Loftus Road. I really think playing at home can change a lot of things in terms of positive energy and how you can use the energy of the fans.
"We need to be better collectively in order to find a solution to create some danger - and to be stronger on the set-pieces defensively."
Stéphan: "We need to collectively find solutions."
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