Full-time: Birmingham City 4 Blackburn Rovers 1 (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Full-time: Birmingham City 4 Blackburn Rovers 1

5:02pm Sunday 11th May 2008 in

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ROVERS' outside chance of a place in the Intertoto Cup was foiled on the final day of the season.

But Birmingham City's efforts to avoid relegation were in vain as, despite twice taking the lead before Fabrice Muamba sealed the win with the fourth and final goal late on, results elsewhere meant they dropped back down to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.

Birmingham took the lead just after the half-hour, when David Murphy ran onto a quickly taken free kick and, after not being closed down, took the opportunity of a speculative shot at goal.

Brad Friedel looked to have it well covered, but took his eyes off the low strike for a second and the ball spooned up out of his hands and over the line.

Morten Gamst Pedersen got Rovers back on level terms four minutes into the second half with a first-time right foot shot from Roque Santa Cruz's square ball, after Jason Roberts' initial effort had been charged down.

Brett Emerton, Santa Cruz and Roberts all had chances to put Rovers in front, but they capitulated after Birmingham had regained the lead in the 74th minute.

Moments after Cameron Jerome had missed a sitter from close range, the Birmingham substitute slotted home after latching onto Sebastian Larsson's ball from the right.

Jerome made it 3-1 with a minute to go from Gary McSheffrey's ball into the box.

Muamba wrapped it up in stoppage time with a free header.