Bolton produce late fightback to send Barnsley and Burton into League One
Wanderers looked dead and buried when they were 2-1 down against Nottingham Forest before scoring two in two minutes
BOLTON produced a remarkable late comeback to send Burton Albion down in dramatic fashion.
Barnsley joined Sunderland in League One after they went down without a whimper following a 4-1 defeat at Derby County.
Five teams went into the final day knowing they could face the drop, but with Birmingham winning against Fulham and Reading picking up a point at Cardiff, it was down to three.
Bolton needed to win against Nottingham Forest otherwise they were dead and buried - with Birmingham also in command a victory for Burton or Barnsley would have seen them down.
Cue the drama.
Preston took an early lead against Burton before being reduced to ten-men in the second half.
On 63 minutes Burton equalised, sparking mass celebrations in the away end.
But it was short lived as four minutes after that Bolton took the lead through Adam Le Fondre.
Then on the 70th minute Ben Osbourne scored for Nottingham Forest and Bolton were on the brink yet again.
On 79 minutes it seemed all over when Jack Colback rifled home the lead for Forest.
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Bolton needed two goals and threw players forward in desperation looking for an equaliser.
In the 87th minute, 31-year-old centre-back David Wheater bagged a rare goal to bring it back to 2-2.
And in remarkable fashion, striker Aaron Wilbraham, at the tender age of 38 scored Bolton's third to ensure they were minutes away from the Great Escape.
Championship table
20. Reading - points 44
21. Bolton - points 43
RELEGATED
22. Barnsley - points 41
23. Burton - points 41
24. Sunderland - points 37
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But it wasn't over yet.
Preston put Burton out of their misery by scoring a second which meant that a Forest equaliser would keep Barnsley in the league.
Despite a late overhead kick that fell narrowly over the bar, Bolton held on to ensure their Championship status.