Relegated Reading go out on a high against dismal Derby

But just as Reading's fans feared, not even this emphatic victory - the ninth time this season that Derby has conceded four or more - was enough to rescue them from joining the Rams on the relegation bus.

"Play up Pompey" they pleaded early on as it became clear that Derby were not about to go out in a blaze of glory for all manager Paul Jewell's demands to make their exit from the top flight with a little bit of self-respect regained.

But Fulham's win at Portsmouth meant that Reading had to share the final curtain, and the biggest collection of inflatables since Manchester City's 1980s Banana Bunch disappeared form view as Derby fans crowed with delight.

Coppell, so world-weary at times during a difficult second season for his overachievers, did nothing to counter the notion that he might call it a day when he went over to Reading fans for what looked like an emotional farewell.

Not so, insisted Coppell. He said: "It was a thank-you gesture. They were terrific all afternoon. Our away fans have been supportive all season, and we didn't get a chance to recognise the fans' role at our last home match. "I have got to look at things, but it's too soon now. I've got a huge affection for this club, and I want to do what is right for this club".

While he spoke, Coppell's shell-shocked players were still trying to digest their demise despite goals from James Harper, top-scorer Dave Kitson, substitute Kevin Doyle and Leroy Lita that inflicted one last embarrassment on Derby: "Thank that's over" read a heartfelt banner during the pitch invasion. Coppell, understandably subdued himself, said: "Huge respect to Roy (Hodgson) and Fulham. We wouldn't have looked forward to having to get a result at Portsmouth, so all credit to them.

"To say we're bitterly disappointed is a huge understatement. It's difficult to know what to say to ease the pain in there.

"There's no comfort in words. It's a bit of a numb feeling. We brought some good stuff to the Premier League and it's a shame to be going like this.

"I said beforehand that all we could do was win our game and trust in the integrity of the competition. We did our bit - the players showed what it meant to them".

Coppell accepted that his team had failed to adhere to the "golden rule" of winning your key games against fellow relegation strugglers but could not resist a pop at the international calendar he believes undermined Reading's survival bid.

He said: "There were six international breaks and we had some hellish long journeys - Sunderland, Bolton, Blackburn. No other team had so many away games after the international breaks and that turned out to be significant at the end of the day."

Derby manager Jewell, saddled with a team that failed to win a league game after his arrival in November, listened to a PA announcement directing fans to a specific exit then added tersely: "Can you say that for the players as well?".

Jewell said: "The fans who say we're not fit to wear the shirt are right. That performance sums up our season. I'm part of it. But the demands of playing for this club have been too much for many of the players.

"Reading were nervous, edgy, they wouldn't believe they could come here and dominate from start to finish. There was no desire, no fight, no will to run through a brick wall.

"We haven't enough players who will scrap when things go against them. We've gone without a fight and that's why I'm so angry."

Jewell will make wholesale changes this summer, and for the Wales midfielder Robbie Savage - so lacking in influence he was hauled off at half time - is looking vulnerable.

Jewell said: "There are no gimmes. They are all under scrutiny including players I signed in January. I expected them to do better. Nobody can argue if he isn't here next season. I don't think that they care enough. They just don't care enough. I don't see too many of our players going to Premier League teams this summer."

Failed striker Robbie Earnshaw is poised to be first out of the Pride Park door this week as Jewell insisted: "We've everything in place at this club except the team. I've made mistakes - I've not turned it around and I hold my hands up, but I'm determined to get it right."

Derby: Carroll, Mears, Moore, Nyatanga, Lewis, Sterjovski, Savage, Ghaly, Jones, Villa, Miller.

Subs: Price, Edworthy, Feilhaber, Addison, Simmons.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey, Oster, Harper, Matejovsky, Hunt, Lita, Kitson.

Subs: Federici, Cisse, Doyle, Bikey, Kebe.

Referee: Mike Riley (Yorkshire)