A bumbling Queensland is staring its worst-ever Super 12 finish in the face after officially bombing out of finals contention at Ballymore.

The Reds suffered their most painful defeat of the season, losing 21-20 to the Stormers in a chaotic, error-riddled display.

It was a match the home side should not have lost and coach Jeff Miller admitted as much afterwards, saying he had seen fewer more upset post-match dressing rooms.

His team created all five tries in the match but laid two of them on for the Cape Town-based visitors who also got out of jail thanks to superior goalkicking.

Flyhalf Tim Walsh, who kicked only two from five in the match, was unable to land a sideline conversion after Peter Hynes burned over for the game's last try in the 63rd minute.

The Reds had more opportunities but, like the four clean line breaks made in the opening half-hour, they went unrewarded.

"This hurts as much as the Crusaders loss," Miller said, referring to the round three defeat when a try-bound Elton Flatley spilled the ball after full-time.

"Until we have the discipline to build pressure and keep pressure on these teams we're not going to beat them."

Queensland must now win three all of its last four matches against the Bulls, Cats, sharks and NSW to finish better than the poor 1997 season when it won only four games.

Although it was an unlikely victory, the Stormers deserved to celebrate win hard as it was their first ever at Ballymore and cemented them near the top of the Super 12 ladder.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP