Derby County relegated to League One after defeat to QPR

Derby County Football Club has been relegated to League One after an away defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

It means Wayne Rooney's side will play in the third tier of English football for the first time since 1986.

Today's match saw a 1-0 defeat as Rangers' Luke Amos struck a late goal in the 88th minute and Derby could not equalise before the whistle.

QPR have ended seven-match streak of losses, and have moved up to 10th in the table.

Meanwhile, DCFC have lost their fight for survival, in a campaign crippled by a 21 point deduction.

Had it not been for that deduction, due to breaching the EFL's financial regulations and for entering administration, Derby would be 17th in the table.

It's a bitter blow for the Rams and their fans, but with a club takeover looking imminent, there's also hope on the horizon, as Peter Bearne reports.

Reacting to Derby's relegation, RamsTrust Chair Jim Wheeler said: "The team have done a remarkable job this season, and Wayne Rooney in particular, having handled himself with the points deductions and the transfer embargos.

"It's been remarkable that we've lasted until the middle of April.

"Now we just hope that next season he has the chance to make his own decisions, bring players in, and have a real go at coming straight back up."

Preferred bidder Chris Kirchner has posted a series of tweets after the relegation, outlining his aim to get the club back up the league division - once all purchase formalities are confirmed.