Championship Review - May 3rd

Last updated : 05 May 2014 By Bournemouth Co-Ordinator

To start the final round up of the season, we're going to start at the foot of the table where it all kicked off in the race to stay up with a sense of irony surrounding how the relegation issues were finally settled.

Millwall did their bit to remain in the Championship with a 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth at The Den when Woolford headed the only goal of the game just before the half hour mark. A tenth place for the Cherries resembles their highest ever League placing. Millwall 19th, AFC Bournemouth 10th.

Blackpool did their best to get relegated as Charlton Athletic ran off 3-0 winners at Bloomfield Road. A Harriott hat-trick in the 61st, 82nd and 92nd minutes rounded off a miserable season for the Tangerines. Blackpool 20th, Charlton Athletic 18th.

The drama at the foot of the table came in the games involving Doncaster Rovers and Birmingham City.
At the Reebok it wasn't looking good for Birmingham City who fell behind to Bolton Wanderers goals from Lee (57th min) and Jutkeiwicz (76th min), but at at the same time Leicester City were helping themselves to a points haul of 102 points as a Nugent penalty in the 75th minute sunk Doncaster Rovers. Then from no where, Birmingham City pulled a goal back through Zigic (76th min) and a final kick of the game goal from Caddis in the 93rd minute rescued a point for the Blues while condemning Donny to League One. Ironic as Donny only won League One a year earlier with a fortuitious goal to win the title. Leicester City 1st, Doncaster Rovers 22nd, Bolton Wanderers 14th, Birmingham City 21st.

In the race for the play-offs, it was Reading who started the day in the box seat only to end up disappointed. At the Madj Stad a Trippier own goal in the 16th minute got the Royals off to the start they needed, only to see Arfield (20th min) and Ings (28th min) turn the game on its' head for Burnley. A leveller through McCleary in the 58th minute wasn't enough.

Meanwhile at the City Ground Derbyshire gave Nottingham Forest the lead against Brighton & Hove Albion in the 22nd minute only to see the Seagulls hit back through Ward in the 53rd minute and a last gasp Ulloa winner in the 92nd minute to seal a play-off place for the Seagulls. Reading 7th, Burnley 2nd, Nottingham Forest 11th, Brighton & Hove Albion 6th.

Derby County ended the regular season with a draw against Leeds United at Elland Road. Dawkins had put the Rams 1-up in the 6th minute only to see Smith level in the 50th minute. Leeds United 15th, Derby County 3rd.

Queens Park Rangers managed to see Barnsley off at Oakwell with a 3-2 win, which sets them up nicely for the play-offs. Austin and a Mvoto own goal in the 42nd and 43rd minutes gave the Hoops the break they needed. O'Grady pulled one back in the 54th minute, with Yun re-establishing the 2-goal cushion in the 68th minute. O'Grady completed the scoring for the Tykes in the 90th minute. Barnsley 23rd, Queens Park Rangers 4th.

Just as well Wigan Athletic had already booked their place in the end of season play-off lottery as they slipped up at near neighbours Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park as the home side went in search on an improbably play-off place themselves. Cairney gave Rovers the lead in the 13th minute, with Ramis levelling 4 minutes later. Gestede bagged a brace in the 19th and 35th minute. McClean reduced the deficit for the Latics in the 59th minute with Rhodes re-establishing a 2-goal cushion in the 84th minute. Maynard reduced the deficit again in the 87th minute. Blackburn Rovers 8th, Wigan Athletic 5th.

Ipswich Town finished the season on a high, with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road. Smith gave the Tractor Boys the lead in the 36th minute, with Lee levelling in the 55th minute. The winner came from Green in the 67th minute. Ipswich Town 9th, Sheffield Wedensday 16th.

Watford, who promised much, but delivered little finsihed their season off with a disappointing 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town. Goals from Lolley (46th min), and a Ward hat-trick (55th, 65th and 87th mins) only drew a response from Deeney from the penalty spot in the 93rd minute. Watford 13th, Huddersfield Town 17th.

And finally for the 2013/14 season, Yeovil Town ended with a resounding 4-1 defeat at Huish Park at the hands of Middlesbrough. Graham got Boro off the mark in the 31st minute, with Hayter levelling 7 minutes later. A brace from Ledesma (40th min and 47th mins) and a strike from Tomlin (43rd min) proved to be all too much for the Glovers who now need to re-build in League One. Yeovil Town 24th, Middlesbrough 12th.