Wimbledon were finally relegated to the Second Division despite a brave fight against Sunderland.
The Dons have realistically been facing the drop for some time, but Marcus Stewart's header on the stroke of half-time left them fighting against the tide.
Wimbledon's youngsters put on a brave performance against the Division One high-fliers and grabbed an equaliser midway though the second half courtesy of substitute Malvin Kamara.
But substitute Darren Byfield scored with his first touch of the game on 72 minutes to ensure the Dons would not stay up Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy made five changes to the side which crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Matthew Piper, Stewart, Darren Williams, Joachim Bjorklund and Carl Robinson were all drafted in to the starting line-up as the Black Cats attempted to bounce back from the 1-0 defeat to Millwall.
Wimbledon were hoping to put off their inevitable drop into Division Two and extend on their shock win at Wigan over the weekend.
On eight minutes Piper burst down the right side of Wimbledon's defence and cut the ball back to Stewart, but the recalled striker blazed his effort over the bar.
And Piper continued to cause problems for the Dons as four minutes later he cut inside before hitting a 20-yard effort which keeper Scott Bevan managed to hold at the second attempt.
Sunderland's George McCartney almost created an opening goal moments later and on 17 minutes Kevin Kyle headed a Piper corner over the bar from eight yards.
Sunderland continued to dominate and on 20 minutes Kyle linked up brilliantly with Stewart before placing his shot the wrong side of the post from just inside the area.
Wayne Gray wasted a good chance for Wimbledon midway through the first period as the Sunderland defence were carved open.
Sunderland immediately broke away. Stewart found Kyle with a long ball and, after getting the better of Dean Lewington, the striker's effort was cleared off the line by Harry Ntimbah-Zeh.
The pressure was not over however and a goalmouth scramble seemed to be leading to an inevitable opener but somehow Robinson's shot was cleared to safety.
Stuart Murdoch's young side then managed their first attempt of the evening. Lively winger Jason Puncheon hit a rasping 25-yard drive which flew just over the bar.
Julio Arca went close with a left footed drive which drifted just wide of the Dons post on 35 minutes and Kyle was unable to make the most of a half-chance seconds later as his shot also missed the target.
Lewington went close with a curling shot for Wimbledon as the game quickly moved from end to end and moments later Jermaine Darlington wasted a good chance from the right side.
But Wimbledon's efforts were in vain as Stewart gave Sunderland the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Piper's shot into the ground was guided into the net by the head of Stewart leaving Bevan stranded.
Ten minutes after the break Stewart hit a left-footed drive but this time the Dons keeper was equal to his effort saving low to his right.
There were fewer chances than before the break but Gray was given an opportunity to equalise just after the hour mark.
The Wimbledon forward hit a left-footed drive across goal but his shot drifted wide.
On 67 minutes Wimbledon grabbed a leveller. Lewington crossed and Darlington pulled the ball back across goal for substitute Kamara to slide in an equaliser.
Wade Small went close to scoring from close range - a goal which could have prolonged the Dons' stay in the First Division.
But Sunderland's Byfield came off the bench to score with his first touch and leave Wimbledon preparing for next season.