Derby 0 : Reading 4
12/05/2008 4:50 AM
own when he prodded into the bottom-left corner from close range - earning a booking for his celebrations.
With the game now well and truly won the visitors were quite happy to hold onto possession as their fans began to dream of a fairytale survival story.
However, the celebrations were soon silenced when news filtered through of Fulham taking a late lead at Portsmouth.
As for County, it has now become only the second team in the history of English football to win just once in an entire league season - the first was Loughborough College 108 seasons ago.
The hosts almost gave their supporters a rare reason for cheer when Jones fired narrowly over the crossbar in the closing stages.
But it was the Royals who had the final say.
Lita grabbed the goal his efforts had deserved in the stoppage time with a diving header at the near post but it was not enough to prevent his side joining County in the Coca-Cola Championship next season as the club's first foray into top-flight football came to an end.
English Premiership League - Final Round 2007-08
Derby 0
Reading 4 (Harper 15, Kitson 61, Doyle 69, Lita 90)