Blackstock glanced in a left-footed cross from Emmanuel Ledesma at the second phase of a corner with the game 25 minutes old to secure a 1-0 win for the Rs.
Leon Constantine made his home debut for Town, while trialist Kevin Watson was given the c
hance to impress as the anchor of a three-man midfield.
The hosts performed well in the opening exchanges, with Jason Crowe seeing a shot blocked at the back post by Damien Delaney after some good hold-up play by Constantine.
With under 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Mark Bunn was called upon to make a fingertip save from Patrick Agyemang as the teams went in with the score at 1-0 to Rangers.
Watson was withdrawn at half-time, though thankfully the substitutions – from the home side at least – were kept to a minimum.
One of those introduced was Liam Davis, who put in some superb crosses with either foot. One left-footed first-time pass found Constantine, but the former Leeds man's finish was lacking as he sidefooted over the target with Rs keeper Lee Camp stranded.
The Cobblers continued to work hard but – Constantine's effort apart – never really looked like scoring, although the visitors, favourites to win their division, were not exactly inundated with chances either.
Cobblers: Bunn; Dolman, Hughes, Gyepes (Henderson 82); Crowe, Watson (Osman 46), Jackman, Coke, Holt (Davis 63); Constantine, Larkin (Gilligan 63). Subs not used: Dunn, Dyer, Taylor, Jones.
QPR: Camp, Connolly, Delaney (Rehman 76), Stewart, Hall (Walton 68), Rowlands, Ephraim (Ainsworth 64), Mahon, Blackstock (Di Carmine 75), Agyemang (Balanta 75), Ledesma (Alberti 76). Subs not used: Crowther, Rose.
Attendance: 2,562
Away fans: 1,021
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