Relegation heartbreak for MK Dons and Colchester United

MK Dons have been relegated to League One thanks to their 4-1 defeat at home to Brentford. Credit: PA images

MK Dons have been relegated from The Championship with two games to spare after they were thrashed 4-1 by Brentford at stadium:mk.

The Dons went into the match nine points from safety with three games left to play, which left them requiring a perfect record from their remaining fixtures.

They looked to be on their way to taking the first step of an unlikely escape when Nicky Maynard put them ahead with just six minutes on the clock, but Brentford turned the game on its head through Sergi Canós, Lasse Vibe, Ryan Woods and Jake Bidwell.

The relegation comes just a year after the Dons gained their first ever promotion to The Championship.

Colchester United will be playing in League Two next season after they lost three-nil at home to Burton. Credit: PA

There was also despair for Colchester United who were relegated to League Two.

The U's had to beat promotion-chasing Burton Albion to give them any chance of staying up, but couldn't repeat their heroics against Preston North End 12 months ago.

Lucas Akins has scored a hat-trick against Colchester. Credit: PA Images

A hat-trick from Lucas Akins proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Colchester who also had Joe Edwards sent off.

The 3-0 defeat means the U's will be playing in the bottom tier for the first time in 18 years next season.