Despite admitting that the players were mentally tired after the run of games, Mark Wotte stuck with the same line-up, with just Adam Lallana coming in for the injured Morgan Schneiderlin.
The surprises were on the bench with Wright-Phillips replacing Patterson and Thompson making the bench after Bournemouth were unable to extend his loan.
First half - all-action start, sleepwalking finish
Saints started well.
Setting the tone for the entire game, Surman could have put Saganowski clean through in the first minute only to misplace his pass. Then Euell did muscle his way to a one-on-one with the keeper, but his lack of striker's instincts let him down, as he seemed unsure whether to take it round the keeper or shoot. He did neither and that was really that.
The ref should have taken his ball home and put the rest of us out of our misery.
What followed was a curiously tame display that had the passion and tempo of a meaningless end of season fixture, as Saints inability to retain possession and a well drilled QPR defence caused stalemate.
QPR could be forgiven for keeping it tight and playing on the counter given their run of form, but not Saints. There was a distinct lack of urgency on show, as a run of high pressure games looked to have taken its toll on an, at best, average squad.
QPR had more of the ball and were it not for some excellent defending by Rudi Skacel might have been run ragged by the twinkling toes of Wayne Routledge who showed the Premiership class of Aarron Lennon on the ball and equally mixed delivery.
It was Routledge who had QPR's best chance heading over from just yards out as QPR's far post corner routine worked yet again.
Sympomatic of the lack of interest on the pitch, Bradley Wright-Phillips seemed intent on milking the boos and cheers of the crowd as he warmed up in front of the QPR fans, hardly an indicator of minds fully focused on the more serious task of staying up.
Second half - sleepwalking start, all-action finish
The second half matched the pattern and intensity of the first, with any goal likely to settle it. Routledge and Blackstock continued to be a handful for Saints' defence, pushing back our normal attacking outlets at full back.
QPR looked the more likely to score on the counter, but fortunately a well organised defence and some sharp reactions from Kelvin Davis kept them at bay.
Saints created enough promising openings to create chances of their own, but stray passes and poor control kept the frustration levels in the stands high, with Surman particularly culpable.
Wotte deserves credit for making changes, but left it too late with Wright-Phillips and Thompson adding more directness and urgency to our play. Thompson set up Surman for Saints' best chance but as against Derby, he fluffed his lines scuffing his right footed shot into the turf and the grateful arms of Cerny.
Clearly rattled, he then did it again, this time taking a touch to avoid using his right foot, but in doing so allowing QPR time to get in a block.
There was time for some circus entertaining from substitute Abel Taarabt on loan from Tottenham who seemed to be playing on his own with some dizzying, if ultimately pointless, skills.
And that was that.
On the Cross verdict
With results around us going our way, this was a chance to get out of the bottom three and we blew it.
QPR do have some talented players and were better than their form suggests, but playing at home Saints need to impose their game on the opposition and were incapable of doing so, bar brief cameos at the start and the death.
To their credit the defence looks solid and organised, but unless Saganowski gets the service there is precious little goal threat in front of them.
Much of the problem is with the new midfield diamond formation which briefly sparkled, but is now being exposed as a forgery. With Lallana and Surman out of form, McGoldrick out of position and 'rough diamond' Gillett playing out of his skin but holding his position in the deep, Saints are failing to create enough chances and retain enough ball to function effectively.
The problem for Mark Wotte is that there are precious few options available to him. The possible return of Lee Holmes and an encouraging return from Thompson offer some hope, but the thinness of Saints' squad is starting to show.
Thankfully the players have a week off and may yet surprise us, but on this display and with those above us fighting for their lives, the safety mark just 3 tantalising points away looks further away than ever.
Man of the match: Wayne Routledge (why can't we get loan signings like him?)