After a strong start Gillingham were first to test either keeper as Miller and Nutter linked up well to present Yussuff with an opening. Sadly his stinging drive was hit straight at keeper McWeeney who stood up well to make the save.
Soon after Rooney had a shot from the right of goal saved low to the keeper's right as it quickly became apparent that the Rangers custodian would be in for a busy afternoon.
Another snap shot from Rooney was followed by a 25 yard pile driver from Nutter which flashed wide of the far post. Then on 18 minutes Yussuff sent Payne clear in the box but the R's No.1 raced out to gather bravely at the young midfielder's feet.
Gillingham caught their hosts napping in the 25th minute with a rapid counter attack from a Rangers corner. Miller's long pass was played through to Rooney by Geering and the winger seemed destined to score with a curling effort to the near post, only to see McWeeny intervene with another inspired stop.
Jacob Erskine was next to try his luck, curling a well struck right-footed free kick towards McWeeny's top right corner, once again the host's shot stopper took the plaudits with a save of high quality.
Moments later Rangers failed to clear Yussuff's right wing cross, Tom Wynter ghosted in at the back post but his shot deflected behind with the keeper wrong footed for the first time in the half.
Then on the stroke of half time QPR finally mustered a chance of note as Sam Bewick found space just outside the box and let fly with a low effort that scudded wide without troubling Alan Julian.
HT 0-0
The hosts looked a different prospect in the second half and claimed the lead in the 49th minute, Romone Rose brought a good block from Julian but Bewick recovered the lose ball and crossed low to leave Antonio German with a simple tap in.
Moments later the Gills failed to clear an inswinging corner and were fortunate not to concede a second and Bewick's rasping drive flashed wide of the far post.
The visitors were off target with a wayward effort from Miller before Max Ehmer was unlucky with a wicked rising drive from the edge of the Gills penalty area that whistled over the crossbar.
In the 63rd minute Yussuff's corner fell to Luke Rooney just outside the box, the young midfielder let loose a first time shot, but it was still rising as it cannoned back off the stand roof.
Worryingly for the Gills, Garry Richards limped off after a hefty challenge in the 70th minute, first year apprentice Callum Davies came on as the centre half received lengthy treatment.
Five minutes later the visitors should have had an equaliser, Yussuff's free-kick from the right hand touchline was met at the far post by a spring-heeled Tom Wynter but, with the keeper beaten, his finish rolled the wrong side of the post.
Rangers extended their lead in the 79th minute in simple fashion, a deep free kick found Matteo Alberti in the Gills half who rifled home beyond a helpless Julian.
Soon after Luke Rooney made a strong run into the R's territory but chose to shoot too soon with the result that his drive from distance sailed high and wide of the mark.
Julian got down well to deny Ed Harris as the host's captain headed goalwards from an 85th minute corner. Then in added time Nutter picked out the lively Rooney wide on the right wing, he cut into the box and unleashed a low strike that was gathered comfortably by McWeeney
Gillingham: Alan Julian, Connor Essam, John Nutter, Jack Payne, Tom Wynter, Garry Richards (71 Callum Davies), Rashid Yussuff, Adam Miller, Jacob Erskine (78 Charlie Stimson), Luke Rooney, Liam Geering (70 Dean Rance).
Sub not used: Conor Quinn.
Q.P.R.: Shane McWeeney, Romone Rose, Anthony Sanderson, Max Ehmer, Ed Harris, Taylor Parmenter (85 Danny Bailey), Elliott Cox (77 Javonne Molloy), Sam Bewick, Antonio German, Matteo Alberti, Michael Harriman.
Subs not used: Niki-Lee Bulmer, Christian Nanetti, Danny Fernandez.
