Blackburn Rover's Yakubu on a wet and miserable night in Blackburn. Photo: Reuters.

Wigan defender Antolin Alcaraz scored with a header three minutes from time to end Blackburn's 11-year stay in the Premier League after a dismal season in which they have won just eight of their 37 league matches under manager Steve Kean.

West Ham United edged closer to a Premier League return with a 3-0 home win over Cardiff City, to ease into the Championship playoff final 5-0 on aggregate.

The Hammers came into the second leg with a firm grip on the tie courtesy of a 2-0 win in Wales last week. They strengthened that in the 15th minute when captain Kevin Nolan headed in from a Matt Taylor corner. West Ham made sure of the win when Ricardo Vaz Te fired in a superb drive with Nicky Maynard adding a late third.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce called for more of the same on May 19 when his team battle for a place in the top flight against Blackpool or Birmingham City - both teams that were also relegated from the Premier League last season.

Blackpool take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their playoff semi-final at Birmingham on Wednesday.