Steve Coppell's Reading as expected, duly collected the win required from their final fixture of the season at home to Queens Park Rangers to eclipse Sunderland's Championship point's record which had stood for seven years.
The Royals took the lead five minutes before half time thanks to Dave Kitson's 18th strike of the campaign, and although the Hoops Paul Furlong leveled inside the game's last quarter, the all conquering Berkshire outfit were not to be denied and captain, Graeme Murty, the only regular outfield player not to score this season, slotted home an 84th minute penalty to secure victory and a record 106 points. 
Elsewhere, the composition of the play-offs were settled and there were high scoring victories for Stoke City, at relegated Brighton & Hove Albion and Crewe Alexandra against Millwall in the clash of the other demoted teams.
Watford played out a goalless Vicarage Road draw with a tenacious Hull City side who came South for a point and left with one. For a full match report, click here.
The draw assured the Golden Boys of a third place finish and a two legged clash with Iain Dowie's Crystal Palace, who lost narrowly at already promoted Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
In an end to end game the Eagles had chances to get their noses in front, but Clinton Morrison spurned a couple of excellent opportunities and the South Londoners were left to rue his prolificacy when Blades skipper, Chris Morgan headed the game's only goal nine minutes from time.
The other play-off semi-final will be contested between Preston North End and Leeds United, who had a dress rehearsal at Deepdale. The Lilywhites, under the astute management of Billy Davies, have finished the season in wonderful form and an 18th league match without defeat, and a best finish for 40 years came about courtesy of goals from Brian Stock, with a clever free-kick in the first half, and a Brett Omerod effort in the second.
Meanwhile, Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, two sides who at the start of the season must themselves have been harboring play-off hopes at the very least, met at Carrow Road with absolutely nothing at stake.
Denes Rosa gave the Midland side a first half lead, improved upon by Mark Kennedy with just over twenty minutes to go, and although Robert Earnshaw managed to halve the deficit there was no way back for Nigel Worthington's side, who for the sake of their manager one assumes must do better next term.
The outlook is perhaps even bleaker for former England boss, Glen Hoddle who despite this win is expected to vacate the Molineux hot seat during the summer.
The summer will also see the World Cup in Germany, and whilst England's Wayne Rooney suffered an agonising weekend after picking up a metatarsal injury at Chelsea on Saturday that threatens his participation, namesake Adam had reason to celebrate after notching a hat-trick for Stoke City in a 5-1 away win at the expense of doomed Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 18-year-old youngster, in only his second senior start for the Potteries club grabbed an astonishing treble in just over an hour, and with Mamady Sidibe and Peter Sweeney also netting for Johan Boskamp's side it completed a dreadful season for the Seagulls, whose only repost came via substitute, Doug Loft.
The Withdean club finished bottom of the table as a result whilst Boskamp, who is believed to be returning to his native Belgium after a year in charge at the Britannia Stadium having lost patience with the club's owners for failing to resolve his future while a takeover bid by former chairman Peter Coates rumbles on, could not have wished for a better send off.
One manager who seems secure in his post however is the evergreen, Dario Gradi.
The league's longest serving boss may have seen his Crewe Alexandra outfit succumb to the inevitable in the past fortnight, but he has every intention of trying to masterminding a quick return and his charges signed off in style with a convincing 4-2 home triumph over fellow relegated club, Millwall at Gresty Road.
Ben May did profer hope for the Lions with his 10th strike of the season early on, but the Alex came storming back and goals by Eddie Johnson, Nicky Maynard, Luke Varney and Steve Jones, in possibly his last appearance for the Cheshire outfit, negated a second for May.
Coventry City, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday all continued their fine end to the season with comfortable victories.
Coventry City have enjoyed a successful time since moving into their impressive Ricoh Arena Stadium in the autumn and a 12th home triumph was achieved at the expense of an out of form Cardiff City.
Stern John gave the Sky Blues an early advantage, and although the Welshmen equalised through Steve Thompson they were no match for the hosts in the second period, Dele Adebola and a last minute Dennis Wise goal ensuring three points and a top eight finish for Micky Adam's men.
Southampton has also hit top form in recent weeks and just managed to sneak into the top half of the table after a fifth victory in their last six games. Ricardo Fuller with his seventh goal in as many starts set the ball rolling midway through the first half, and the Saints scored a second almost immediately through Andrew Surman which proved more than sufficient to see off Leicester City at St Mary's.
Sheffield Wednesday also ended in style, goals by Marcus Tudgay and Leon Best giving the Owls a two goal success over Derby County at Pride Park in front of over 30, 000, a result that ensured Paul Sturrock's men finished above the Rams in the process.
Nicky Evans marked his final game for Plymouth Argyle with a goal in the Devon's sides 2-1 home victory over an Ipswich Town team whose 15th place finish at level 2 was their lowest for 40 years. 
Nicky Forster's fourth goal in as many games had put the Tractor Boys ahead, but the Devon side responded and Tony Capaldi, restored equality before Evans, in his 432nd and final appearance for the Home Park team, grabbed the winner just before the hour.
The day's one other fixture saw Burnley and Luton Town share two goals and the points in a typical end of term affair at Turf Moor. Rowan Vine gave the Hatters the lead just prior to the interval but the Clarets finished on terms thanks to Northern Ireland youth international, Kyle Lafferty's first senior goal.
Final Coca-Cola Championship Table
| 1 | [P] Reading | 46 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 58 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 41 | 18 | 31 | 13 | 2 | 99 | 32 | 106 | +67 | ||||
| 2 | [P] Sheffield United | 46 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 43 | 22 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 33 | 24 | 26 | 12 | 8 | 76 | 46 | 90 | +30 | ||||
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 39 | 24 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 38 | 29 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 77 | 53 | 81 | +24 | ||||
| 4 | Preston North End | 46 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 31 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 28 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 6 | 59 | 30 | 80 | +29 | ||||
| 5 | Leeds United | 46 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 35 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 57 | 38 | 78 | +19 | ||||
| 6 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 39 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 28 | 28 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 67 | 48 | 75 | +19 | ||||
| 7 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 24 | 18 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 26 | 24 | 16 | 19 | 11 | 50 | 42 | 67 | +8 | ||||
| 8 | Coventry City | 46 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 39 | 22 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 23 | 43 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 62 | 65 | 63 | -3 | ||||
| 9 | Norwich City | 46 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 34 | 25 | 6 | 4 | 13 | 22 | 40 | 18 | 8 | 20 | 56 | 65 | 62 | -9 | ||||
| 10 | Luton Town | 46 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 45 | 31 | 6 | 4 | 13 | 21 | 36 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 66 | 67 | 61 | -1 | ||||
| 11 | Cardiff City | 46 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 32 | 24 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 26 | 35 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 58 | 59 | 60 | -1 | ||||
| 12 | Southampton | 46 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 26 | 17 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 23 | 33 | 13 | 19 | 14 | 49 | 50 | 58 | -1 | ||||
| 13 | Stoke City | 46 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 24 | 32 | 10 | 2 | 11 | 30 | 31 | 17 | 7 | 22 | 54 | 63 | 58 | -9 | ||||
| 14 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 26 | 22 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 24 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 39 | 46 | 56 | -7 | ||||
| 15 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 28 | 32 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 25 | 34 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 53 | 66 | 56 | -13 | ||||
| 16 | Leicester City | 46 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 30 | 25 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 21 | 34 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 51 | 59 | 54 | -8 | ||||
| 17 | Burnley | 46 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 34 | 22 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 12 | 32 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 46 | 54 | 54 | -8 | ||||
| 18 | Hull City | 46 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 24 | 21 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 25 | 34 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 49 | 55 | 52 | -6 | ||||
| 19 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 22 | 24 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 28 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 39 | 52 | 52 | -13 | ||||
| 20 | Derby County | 46 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 33 | 27 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 20 | 40 | 10 | 20 | 16 | 53 | 67 | 50 | -14 | ||||
| 21 | Queens Park Rangers | 46 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 24 | 26 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 26 | 39 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 50 | 65 | 50 | -15 | ||||
| 22 | [R] Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 38 | 40 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 46 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 57 | 86 | 42 | -29 | ||||
| 23 | [R] Millwall | 46 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 27 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 22 | 35 | 8 | 16 | 22 | 35 | 62 | 40 | -27 | ||||
| 24 | [R] Brighton & Hove Albion | 46 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 21 | 34 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 18 | 37 | 7 | 17 | 22 | 39 | 71 | 38 | -32 | ||||