A Charlie Austin hat-trick saw Queens Park Rangers come from two goals down to secure a last-gasp 3-2 win at home to West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.

Charlie Austin of QPR celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road on December 20, 2014 © Getty Images

The first chance of the game fell the way of the visitors, but Craig Gardner's snap-shot was saved comfortably by Rob Green.

Brown Ideye then should have netted his first Premier League goal for the Baggies, but the Nigerian forward blazed his effort over the bar after good work from Stephane Sessegnon.

West Brom took the lead that their vibrant start deserved when Joleon Lescott latched onto Ideye's near-post flick on to nod home from close range in the 11th minute.

Joleon Lescott of West Brom celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road on December 20, 2014 © Getty Images

Less than 10 minutes later, Ideye laid on another assist for Silvestre Varela, who lashed the ball past Green to put the stunned hosts 2-0 behind.

However, James Morrison's foolish decision to haul back Leroy Fer inside the box handed QPR a route back into the game, and Charlie Austin converted the penalty to almost immediately reduce the arrears.

Sessegnon almost capped a fine first-half performance with a goal, but Green pushed away his strike, while Austin nearly got QPR back on level terms on the stroke of half time when his shot dipped onto the roof of the net.

Austin's prolific season continued as he got QPR back on level terms three minutes into the second half, after Richard Dunne's initial header had flicked off the crossbar.

Joey Barton then went down inside the area under another clumsy challenge from Morrison, but the referee denied QPR their second penalty of the afternoon.

Ideye wasted a glorious opportunity to put West Brom ahead once more, but he scuffed his shot straight into the arms of Green when put through one-on-one.

With 10 minutes remaining, it was Austin's turn to pass up a gilt-edged chance as he fired at Foster to waste the chance to secure his treble.

However, the 25-year-old netted his third goal of the game just three minutes from time to hand the Hoops a dramatic which continues their fine home form and lifts them out of the Premier League drop zone.