BIRMINGHAM were left despondent as their four-season stint in the Premiership came to an insipid end in front of their home fans yesterday. They did manage to secure a point against Newcastle but their often-lacklustre performance was simply not good enough.

Going into the game the home side knew they would have Birmingham knew they would have to match Portsmouth's result at Wigan or drop into the second tier.

Manager Steve Bruce made one change with Jiri Jarosik replacing Nicky Butt.

And Jarosik made a bright start, firing a shot over the bar after four minutes before later racing forward to power in a shot that whistled wide.

Newcastle were content to sit back in the early stages but the home side were unable to punish their lack of urgency with Mikael Forssell firing wide of the target. The news that Wigan had gone ahead against Portsmouth was greeted with cheers from the home supporters but, although they were having the majority of possession, Birmingham were finding it hard to test Shay Given.

Into the second half and Birmingham started to retreat into their own shell somewhat. One of the few chances fell to Forssell but it was comfortably saved by Given. Michael Owen was brought on in the 62nd minute - to the delight of the Newcastle supporters and the biggest cheer of the day apart from the one that greeted Wigan's goal.

Birmingham roused themselves as full time beckoned but Heskey first touch let him down when clean through and then, with moments to go, Given saved superbly from Forssell and Heskey in quick succession to condemn Birmingham to relegation.