Blackpool and Birmingham feel the pain as Wolves, Wigan and Blackburn party

This is the moment when the reality of relegation dawned on Blackpool defender Ian Evatt (below) as his team bid a dramatic and emotional farewell to the Barclays Premier League.

But they gave champions Manchester United the fright of their lives at Old Trafford before slipping to a 4-2 defeat which condemned them to the drop.

Ian Holloway's team join Birmingham and West Ham in the Championship next season after a final day that see-sawed until the closing moments.

Evatt gave away an own goal at 2-2 but proud Holloway insisted: 'These players will go down as (Blackpool) greats like the legendary Jimmy Armfield. What they have achieved for the little they are paid has been phenomenal. But I face a hard job now.

Tangerine nightmare: Ian Evatt reacts as Blackpool are relegated from the Premier League

The dream dies: Blackpool wave goodbye to their fans at Old Trafford

'The vultures will circle and how many of these players will want to stay and play with us in the Championship?'
At one point in the second half Blackpool led United 2-1 and looked set to pull off one of the greatest last-day escapes. But in the end, even a draw would have sent them down.

Elsewhere, Wigan managed to survive again as a goal from Hugo Rodallega in the 78th minute at Stoke City hauled Roberto Martinez's team from the jaws of the drop while a goal three minutes from time from Stephen Hunt helped Wolves survive, even though they lost 3-2 at home to Blackburn.

All over: Roman Pavlyuchenko celebrates scoring against Birmingham

Tough day: Alex McLeish can hardly bare to watch Birmingham's demise

In London, a late winner from Roman Pavlyuchenko ensured that Birmingham lost 2-1 at Tottenham. Hunt's goal for Wolves would have sent their Midlands neighbours down on goal difference anyway.

Birmingham are in Europe next season after winning the Carling Cup but that was little consolation for manager Alex McLeish.

Sad day: A Birmingham fan (top) shares the pain felt by the Blackpool supporters at Old Trafford

'I'm obviously pretty gutted,' he said. 'When we got a goal I thought we'd done it. It's going to be a pretty horrible couple of days - or summer, I suppose - but I've got to work to get Birmingham back to the Premier League.'

At Molineux, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was perhaps the most relieved man of all. His team trailed 3-0 at half-time to fellow strugglers Blackburn.

Net gains: Hugo Rodallega powers home the crucial winner for Wigan at Stoke

Hero: Hugo Rodallega is mobbed by Wigan fans after his winner at Stoke

'We were in it, then we were out of it. We were up and then we were down. I was getting messages every couple of minutes on bits of paper. Some had swear words on, others said happy days.

'I am shattered physically and emotionally. 'I went through the wringer. I feel like I should be dancing up and down with my drawers on my head. I can't do that, because I have to stay professional, but that is how I feel.'

Flying start: Jason Roberts celebrates after putting Blackburn in front

Delight: Wolves fans celebrate their club securing Premier League survival

Sealed with a kiss: Wolves fans mark their survival mission in style

Wigan, who had been in the bottom three for much of the campaign, stayed up after winning their final two games, snatching a late goal at Stoke. Manager Roberto Martinez said: 'It's like winning a trophy - that's the way I feel.'

Back at Old Trafford, United's comeback meant that Sir Alex Ferguson's team won the club's 19th title by nine points.