Barton's vital strike puts Rangers on road to victory over sorry Swansea A third successive home victory has given Queen's Park Rangers renewed belief that a troubled season will nonetheless end on a happy note. Mark Hughes' side must also negotiate their way through away dates at Chelsea and Manchester City, the latter on the last day, to secure survival but this victory, courtesy of goals from Joey Barton, Jamie Mackie and Akos Buzsaky, means they are now ahead of Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn and Wolves. The home side had been forced to do without midfielder Shaun Derry after his controversial red card against Manchester United on Sunday was rejected but Barton was recalled, as was Bobby Zamora in attack. Swansea also brought back the forwards Danny Graham and Scott Sinclair, the latter a former Loftus Road loanee. Rangers began like a team that knew it had to make up for previous misdemeanours and Buszaky sent an early volley from the edge of the penalty area fizzing just wide. Swansea replied with a relentless stream of short passes and almost took the lead through an ungainly goalmouth scramble, though Sinclair was blocked at the last moment by Barton. Mackie then wasted a clear chance from 10 yards by shooting straight at Vorm after Zamora's set-up, though Rangers worked hard by pressing Swansea with Samba Diakite particularly industrious in midfield. More chants of "boring, boring Swansea" came from the home fans as a long ball reached the head of Graham and Clint Hill had to block Sinclair's shot on the turn to prevent a goal. Rangers recovered but a corner rather than a penalty was awarded when Buzsaky's shot hit Ashley Williams' arm. Vorm spilled that straight to Zamora who blasted over from five yards. Suddenly, in stoppage time, Rangers were ahead. Adel Taarabt's free-kick from the right was cleared only as far as Barton, who lashed home a low shot from just inside the box. Swansea's response at the break was to replace left-back Neil Taylor with Alan Tate and forward Wayne Routledge, with Nathan Dyer. Paddy Kenny, the Rangers goalkeeper, collected Joe Allen's long-ranger at the second attempt before Mackie made it 2-0 with a deflected, though deserved effort. The adopted Scot survived a marginal offside call to collect Anton Ferdinand's long ball with his back to goal and jinked past two defenders before Angel Rangel helped his shot past Vorm. Swansea responded instantly when Graham stabbed wide before Hill headed away from under his own crossbar. Buzsaky then made sure of victory with a cracking third, letting fly from the edge of the box after Taarabt had picked him out in space. Rangers were rampant and, after Diakite had almost made it four from close range, Barton saw a stinging drive saved by Vorm. It simply wasn't Swansea's night, as Graham proved by heading a simple chance over late on. Man of the match Hill. Referee L Probert (Wiltshire). Attendance 17,557.