Blackburn Rovers have been relegated from the Premier League following their 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic at Ewood Park tonight.
Only victory would have been enough to take Blackburn's survival bid to the final day of the season, but the win did secure Wigan's own Premier League status.
During the first period, Franco Di Santo's tame effort was saved comfortably by Paul Robinson before Victor Moses called the former England keeper into action again at his near post.
The two players later combined to produce the best chance of the opening 45 minutes. Di Santo's perfect cross left Moses with a six-yard header to give Roberto Martinez's side the lead, but the Nigerian international completely miscued his effort across goal.
The start of the second half was delayed as reports filtered through that Rovers defender Gael Givet had suffered a heart scare during the break.
As it turned out, the Frenchman's only health problem was a hamstring strain, but that incident wasn't the only delay in play on a wet Monday night in Lancashire.
The first half was interrupted when a chicken, sporting a Blackburn flag, entered the field as a sign of protest against Venky's ownership of the club.
Blackburn had chances of their own in the second period, but Yakubu's close-range volley was cleared off the line by Antolin Alcaraz.
Steve Kean thought his side should have been awarded a penalty when Emmerson Boyce appeared to foul Junior Hoilett in the box, but nothing was given.
To make matters worse, Blackburn were sent down with a defeat as Alcarez headed in a late corner to secure the Latics another campaign in the top flight.
Read how the events unfolded here.
Joe Fish
