Easter is traditionally a time of the year when promotion and relegation is decided and this year proved no different as Sheffield United finally clinched automatic promotion to the Premiership, whilst for Crewe Alexandra, Brighton & Hove Albion and Millwall the grim reality of relegation was confirmed.
A 75th minute strike by former Golden Boy, Danny Webber gave Neil Warnock's men all three points at Cardiff City in the first game of the weekend on Good Friday, and this meant that Watford and Leeds United had to win their matches in order to keep the automatic promotion race alive. 
Watford strived manfully at Molineux in a live televised clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but a Jeremie Aliadiere goal set them back on their heels, and although Marlon King leveled with his 21st strike of the fantastic campaign for both himself and club, the former Nottingham Forest front man then fell foul of an autocratic referee and assistant, with his subsequent dismissal for disputing a penalty decision effectively ending the Golden Boys chances of a first win in four games.
Watford did return to winning ways yesterday however, and a Darius Henderson brace proved there is life after the charismatic King as the Hertfordshire club defeated Ipswich Town (2-1). For a full match report, click here.
Leeds United had themselves come close to extending the battle just a little longer and it took an 85th minute goal by Reading's Stephen Hunt to end their interest. Leading through Rob Hulse's 13th goal of the campaign against the Champions at Elland Road, the home faithful were about to celebrate their team's first win in 7 games until the ex-Brentford man's strike confirmed the Blades return to the top flight after an absence of 12 years.
Meanwhile at the bottom, Sheffield Wednesday completed a good weekend for the steel city by securing their Championship status for another season.
The Owls had already recorded a narrow one goal success over travel sick Norwich City on the 17th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster on Saturday, thanks to Marcus Tudgay's sixth goal of the campaign, and safety was assured as a Gary Hart own goal, followed by a Burton O'Brien strike defeated Brighton & Hove Albion at the Withdean Stadium on Monday.
Mark McGhee's side had temporarily kept alive their slim hopes of avoiding the drop on Saturday by winning at a desperately out of form Ipswich Town at Portman Road (2-1), thanks to goals by Gifton Noel Williams and Joel Lynch, but ultimately a lack of financial resources has cost the South Coast club dear and ended their two year stay at this level.
Crewe Alexandra are also preparing for a return to level 3 for the first time in four seasons following an equally brave battle against the odds. 
Dario Gradi's side did at least go down fighting, retrieving a two goal deficit at Crystal Palace on Saturday, goals by Luke Rodgers and a Kenny Lunt penalty canceling out two first half strikes by Andrew Johnson, and holding Cardiff City at Gresty Road on Monday. The Railwaymen took the lead against the Bluebirds thanks to a terrific David Vaughan effort from fully 25 yards, but the Welshmen recovered to share the points with a Jason Koumas equaliser.
Millwall are the other side to be demoted and a Marvin Williams goal at the New Den against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday only prolonged the agony (1-1), while improving Southampton struck the final nail in the coffin yesterday, goals by Kenwyne Jones and Ricardo Fuller sealing the Lions fate at St Mary's (0-2).
That victory made it four wins on the spin for George Burley's team who enjoyed a fine Easter, for on Saturday two Grzegorz Rasiak goals, one from the penalty spot, secured an odd goal in three success at Stoke City, who after defeat at Reading on Monday (1-3) conversely lost both games over the same period.
Reading's triumph, thanks to strikes by Steve Sidwell, Kevin Doyle and John Halls, has moved the Royals onto 102 points for the season and they now need just four points from their remaining two fixtures to beat Sunderland's all time points record of 105 set during the 1998/99 campaign.
Elsewhere, Preston North End's fine form continued with two victories, a come from behind Walkers Stadium win over much improved Leicester City (2-1) on Saturday being followed 48 hours later by a comfortable two goal Deepdale success over under achieving Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Queens Park Rangers had a miserable time though as they let slip leads in both holiday games. Leading with a Marc Nygaard effort against Derby County on Saturday the Hoops were denied maximum points by a Tommy Smith equaliser, and worse was to follow at Carrow Road yesterday as the West Londoners lost a two goal advantage and the match against Norwich City.
Goals by Gareth Ainsworth and Lee Cook had put them in the ascendancy, but the wheels came off in a big way in the final 12 minutes as Darren Huckerby and Robert Earnshaw twice netted for the Canaries to leave the Loftus Road side pointless.
Former Watford man, Smith grabbed his second goal of the weekend for Derby County to deny Hull City at Pride Park on Monday (1-1), who themselves drew for the second time inside two days following a goalless home draw with Burnley 48 hours earlier. 
The Clarets have certainly been finding goals exceedingly hard to come by since the £1.8 million departure of Bramall Lane bound Ade Akinbiyi in January and Steve Cotterill's side registered another blank yesterday with Crystal Palace at Turf Moor (0-0).
Micky Adams' Coventry City is becoming increasingly difficult to beat and they may be dark horses for promotion next season. On Saturday they forged to a narrow victory at Luton Town thanks to goals by the consistent Stern John and Gary McSheffrey whilst yesterday, a meritorious point was gained in the all Midlands clash with Leicester City at the Ricoh Arena (1-1).
Finally, Luton Town had a mixed weekend, the afore mentioned home defeat by the Sky Blues being rectified by a late smash and grab victory at Home Park yesterday, goals by Rowan Vine and Calvin Andrew enough to inflict a first defeat in four games for Plymouth Argyle who had led through Akos Buzsaky.