Derby have been relegated to Sky Bet League One after suffering a 1-0 defeat at QPR and will play in England’s third tier for the first time since 1986.
A late Luke Amos goal at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium saw Wayne Rooney’s Rams fall to defeat, while a dramatic point for Reading, who came back from
4-1 down to draw 4-4 against Swansea, condemned them to relegation.
County finished the match with 10 men after Tom Lawrence was sent off for a second yellow card following a challenge on Charlie Austin in the final seconds.
The Rams, who have been fighting an uphill battle ever since being hit with a 21-point deduction for their financial problems, gave their survival chances a shot in the arm by beating leaders Fulham on Good Friday but were unable to follow that up against Rangers, whose win was their first in seven matches.
The crucial breakthrough came with two minutes remaining.
Ilias Chair played the ball in from the left to Lyndon Dykes, who in turn laid it to his right and the unmarked Amos, the midfielder calmly guiding his finish past goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.
Amos had an early goal disallowed when keeper Kieren Westwood’s long kick was headed on by Dykes to the former Tottenham man, who nudged the ball past Allsop and slotted into an empty net but was adjudged to have been offside.
Luke Plange missed a glorious chance to put Derby ahead, heading Lawrence’s left-wing free-kick against the top of the bar from close range.
Another Lawrence set-piece, this time a corner from right, caused more problems for Rangers shortly before the interval, with Krystian Bielik volleying over after Westwood’s fumble.
With Reading behind at half-time, Derby knew victory could see them close the gap, but it was QPR who were on the front foot for much of the second half.
They almost took the lead a couple of minutes after the restart when Chair cut in from the left and saw his right-footed strike pushed over by Allsop, who also kept out a long-range effort from Dykes.
Derby did threaten in the later stages, with Malcolm Ebiowei causing QPR major problems on the right flank.
Andre Dozzell diverted an Ebiowei cross narrowly wide of his own goal and Nathan Byrne was denied at point-blank range by Westwood.
But Amos’ third goal in five matches and sixth of the season left Derby facing up to League One football next season.
There are still big question marks surrounding the future of Derby with the club still in administration.
US businessman Chris Kirchner has been named as the preferred bidder, and met with the EFL earlier this month to discuss his proposed takeover.
Rooney: ‘I want to rebuild Derby’
Derby manager Wayne Rooney told Sky Sports after Monday’s defeat that he wants to stick around and bring the “happy days back” to the club if the takeover goes through.
However, he emphasised the precarious situation Derby find themselves in leaves his position at the club in doubt.
“The takeover has to happen. If the takeover doesn’t happen, then I really fear for where the club will end up,” Rooney told Sky Sports.
“The club’s future is in doubt, if [the takeover] doesn’t happen my future is in doubt. So it has to.
“If it happens [the takeover], then I want to rebuild the club. You see the fans what it means to them every week, this is a special club, a big club we are all proud to be at and I want to be the one to bring the happy days back.”
He added: “It is a complex situation. I feel for the players more because we’ve picked up 52 points and we’d be safe now in normal circumstances.
“We’ve paid the price for what the previous owner has left behind. It is no one’s fault other than the previous owner and we are paying the price. I’m sure it is a sad day for him as well because Mel Morris is a Derby fan, I am sure he’d be disappointed.”
Warnock: ‘Derby will bounce back with new owners’
Former Cardiff City, QPR and Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock says it is vital Derby are promoted back into the Championship next season and has full faith they can have a bright future under new ownership.
“I think we all knew they were going to get relegated a few weeks ago,” Warnock told Sky Sports.
“Wayne did well, bringing the youngsters in. They will have to rely on those youngsters next season. It’s difficult for Wayne as while he gets the praise, he will never have another job with less pressure.
“Next season, they have to get promotion. It’s a fabulous club and it will bounce back with new owners.”
Morrison: ‘Not even Pep or Klopp could’ve saved Derby’
Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison says Rooney had an impossible task trying to keep Derby in the Championship and hopes they can keep the manager and “bounce straight back up”.
“They were the better team and unfortunate not to come away with anything, but it has been the story of Derby’s season,” Morrison told Sky Sports’ Soccer Special.
“They have had a lot of things thrown at them and I think Wayne Rooney has been excellent, losing key players without him knowing and you have got to credit those fans – they have been fantastic.
“I don’t live too far from there, so I go to watch a lot of Derby games and the fans have backed the players non-stop throughout everything. They will be there next season when they are in League One.
“You have to credit the young Derby players as well – they gave it their all. To still have been in contention with three or four games to go is outstanding. You tell me – who, after losing 21 points, can do that? Not even Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola or Thomas Tuchel could go in there and do the job that Rooney has done. And they are the best.
“It was an impossible task. Hopefully they can keep him and someone buys the club and it gets taken over because it is a huge football club and you want to see them bounce straight back up.”
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