While Huddersfield knew that only victory at Ipswich Town and a 15-goal swing would boost their hopes, Birmingham were aware that defeating the Canaries would give them every chance of survival.
However, despite seeing off Norwich by a 1-0 scoreline, Plymouth Argyle earned a 1-0 win over Hull City, and Blackburn Rovers would defeat champions Leicester City by a 2-0 scoreline to dramatically keep themselves in the division.
Sheffield Wednesday also held up their side of the bargain, running out 2-0 victors at Sunderland, to leave Birmingham missing out by a point.
Huddersfield, Birmingham endure frustrating opening 45 minutesWhile as many as five teams could have still been relegated at the start of Saturday's action, it was Huddersfield and Birmingham who were always on the brink.
Given the need for a 15-goal swing, Huddersfield's fate was effectively confirmed after Wes Burns put Ipswich ahead in the 27th minute, and Birmingham did not fare much better at St Andrew's.
Requiring all three points to have a chance of survival, Blues barely troubled Norwich City, who knew that a point was enough to earn a playoff spot.
Elsewhere, other results were not going Birmingham's way. Sheffield Wednesday established a 2-0 lead at Sunderland and Plymouth went 1-0 in front against Hull, with Joe Edwards finding the back of the net with a header.
Suddenly, Birmingham's best hope of survival came from Blackburn — managed by former boss John Eustace — losing to Leicester, having remained on level terms up to half time.
Eustace comes back to haunt BirminghamBirmingham did their bit at the beginning
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