Birmingham were crowned champions of League One after Phil Parkinson's Wrexham drew with Wigan away from home.
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Birmingham secure League One titleWrexham draw away from homeAutomatic promotion hopes take a blowFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE
Wrexham needed all three points to delay celebrations in Birmingham. But after a thoroughly lacklustre outing against a 17th-placed Wigan, their fierce rivals will get their hands on the trophy with six matches to spare.
Moreover, the Red Dragons suffered a mortal blow in their automatic promotion hopes.
It was almost a snooze-fest in the opening 45 minutes as neither of the teams could churn out clear goal-scoring chances. It was a caution-first approach from both managers, and the lack of creativity in attack was simply appalling. Both goalkeepers remained untroubled and the best effort of the half was a 20-yard shot from Dobson.
Parkinson looked vexed with his team's performance as he hurried down the tunnel of The Brick Community Stadium. After the break, the Red Dragons looked more composed as they started weaving together waves of attacks with Oliver Rathbone and Matty James playing a key role in midfield. However, the Welsh side failed to capitalise on their bright spell and soon Wigan regained control.
The match was clamouring for fresh blood and ideas, and Parkinson made a triple change with just over 20 minutes left on the clock as he introduced Steven Fletcher, Ryan Barnett and Elliot Lee. But it did not have the desired effect.
Birmingham are now champions, and Wrexham face an uphill battle to retain their place in the automatic promotion spots.
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In all honesty, it was a drab day at the office for both teams. Nonetheless, amid the wholesale mediocrity all over the pitch, Okonkwo stood out between the sticks. Without him, they would not have kept a clean sheet.
THE BIG LOSER
Wrexham looked lacklustre in the first half and, barring a brief spell in the second half, they did not look threatening. The manager earns his money in these kinds of matches and Parkinson simply failed to pull anything from the hat. With four matches left to play, the margin of error is slimmer than ever.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Wrexham will now have a week to work on their attack before returning to action against Bristol Rovers on April 18.