Jay Bothroyd opened the scoring early on with a quality strike. But failure to clear a corner properly allowed Taarabt to curl in the equaliser. Craig Bellamy restored the lead and Cardiff were piling on the pressure.
The second half opened with more Cardiff pressure but the third goal never came. As City tired in the searing heat QPR were dangerous on the counter and as one City attack failed Rangers broke from one end to the other and Taarabt was there to earn a draw.
The point was not enough to promote Rangers and it was not enough for City to reclaim 2nd place. City are guaranteed a play off place but must now hope Norwich slip up in one of their remaining games, whilst of course winning their own games.