BLACKPOOL HAVE BEEN relegated from the Championship after Rotherham United defeated Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0.
Lee Clark’s men needed Brighton to avoid defeat at the New York Stadium and beat Reading on Tuesday to keep their slim hopes of survival alive.
It was not to be, though, as Matt Derbyshire fired Steve Evans’ men to victory in what is a precious three points in Rotherham’s own fight against an immediate return to League One – the South Yorkshire club now seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Blackpool’s drop into League One has been on the cards for some time, with the club having endured a miserable season in which they have won just four matches and failed to win away from Bloomfield Road this season – their last win having coming against Brighton in January.
At the other end of the table, Middlesbrough slipped up and lost at Watford while Bournemouth took full advantage and thumped four past Birmingham to steal top spot from Aitor Karanka’s side.
Norwich moved into second place with a 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday – Bradley Johnson racking up a brace.
Derby got the better of Wigan to move into fifth place while in a dramatic evening encounter, Dave Edwards’ 88th-minute goal secured a 4-3 win for Wolves against a spirited Leeds side. With those three points, Kenny Jackett’s team have taken control of the final promotion spot as Brentford and Ipswich fall out of the top-six.