Millwall blow promotion hopes in crazy 45-min collapse as delirious Sunderland sneak into playoff places
THE CHAMPIONSHIP did not disappoint as teams produced some thrilling drama on the final day.
Millwall suffered agony against Blackburn as they threw away a two-goal lead, costing them a spot in the play-offs.
Rovers came back from 3-1 down to draw themselves level and give themselves hope of reaching sixth place.
Ben Brereton Diaz netted an 86th-minute winner, but results elsewhere meant heartbreak for the former Premier League Champions.
Millwall had stormed into the lead in the first half through Duncan Watmore netted in the 8th minute.
The visitors equalised through Adam Wharton but Millwall restored their lead as Watmore struck again.
It then got even better for the hosts as Oliver Burke netted two minutes later to put them in complete control at the end of the first half.
However, Blackburn did not roll over and fought back with goals from Rankin-Costello and Brereton Diaz to set up the thrilling finale.
The Chilean made it two for himself on the day to give his side the win.
But in the end, both sides were heartbroken as results elsewhere ended their hope Premier League dreams.
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West Brom and Swansea also suffered disappointment despite playing out their own tense match.
Both sides had an outside chance of finishing in the playoff spots but needed to win and results to go their way.
However, the Swans won the game in the final moments with a Joël Piroe goal to make it 3-2 in Wales.
The final play-off spot instead went to Sunderland thanks to their storming 3-0 win over Preston North End.
Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo set the Blackcats on their way with a screamer.
The win has set them up for a chance to get back to the top flight since relegation in 2017.
Burnley and Sheffield United both celebrated their automatic places in style as they won their final games matches against Cardiff and Birmingham respectively.
Neither of the opponents had anything left to play for having confirmed their safety from relegation and were too far away from a playoff spot.
Playoff duo Coventry and Middlesbrough shared the spoils while 3rd placed Luton Town played out a goalless draw against Hull City.
Relegated Wigan and Blackpool gave good accounts of themselves despite their disappointing seasons.
Blackpool managed a 1-0 win over Norwich thanks to an effort from Morgan Rogers, while Wigan battled to a 0-0 draw against Rotherham.
Reading however limped out of the league to a 1-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Elsewhere in the league, Watford beat Stoke City and Bristol City ran out winners against QPR.