There was to be no great escape for Middlesbrough as a home 1-1 draw with Aston Villa all but condemned Gareth Southgate's side to the drop.
Southgate was booed off the Riverside pitch at the end of tense affair where Boro gave everything but once more fell short.
Tuncay's glittering overhead strike combined with results elsewhere in the relegation battlefield had given Middlesbrough some hope. But a failure to finish off a sluggish Villa side led to nervousness, panic and then the inevitable equaliser by John Carew.
Boro's predicament means they must now win their remaining fixture at West Ham - and hope Newcastle lose at Villa and Hull concede a hatful at home to champions Manchester United.
Tuncay flashed a header over the bar before Villa showed some quality with a neat build-up leading to Gabriel Agbonlahor trying to slide the ball under Brad Jones, who saved with his legs.
Julio Arca played in Stewart Downing whose shot was deflected upwards for Middlesbrough's player of the season, with his back to goal, to produce an overhead kick that left Brad Friedel grasping thin air.
But a serious blow soon followed for Boro when Downing was left in agony after Stiliyan Petrov stood on his foot as the winger was in mid-flight. The England international left the pitch on a stretcher to a standing ovation having perhaps played his last game for his home-town club.
The tension started to get to Middlesbrough and they wasted several chances to clear their lines as Villa pressed, though when King sliced a clearance to Carew's feet there still seemed enough bodies around the Norwegian to thwart him.
Panic ensured instead and Carew kept his calm to place an accurate shot through the gaps in the crowded goalmouth and into the net.
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Hey footy fan - Hull could get smashed by United [by at least 4-0] and you win 1 - 0! as long as Newcastle then lose, you stay up. Be a true fan and stand by your team and manager - I've followed Man City since I was 4 [too long ago to remember!] If I gave up every time city had a bad time I'd be needing a labotomy by now. Good luck Boro' - the standard of football you try to play is good.
we are down now theres no going back up unless we score five goals against west ham and win the game and be realistic that aint going to happen and thats only if necastle, hull and west brom lose their remaining games!!!
now believe me southgate has to go very poor team selection again right back as leftback we seen it all season yet southgate was happy with the size of his squad small squad meant less bodies to choose from less chance of making a bloomer 3years from cup glory to relegation wonder if its a record the man couldnt [pick his nose never mind a team with players in thier right position sack him now dont wait till next week
Yet again boro cannot hold on to a lead despite such an occurence quite rare this season. So what have we proved, the academy system works well, we have home grown players, the good ones will join those already departed and the overdraft will reduce. We will desparately seek some more experienced players and try to come straight back into the premiership. Remember though Mr Gibson this need not have happened your support for an inexperienced manager has cost M'boro football club dearly and it is not that you have not been told. The writings on this website have expressed concern over the last three months and in some cases back to last season. Like many many others I am not happy.
now believe me southgate has to go very poor team selection again right back as leftback we seen it all season yet southgate was happy with the size of his squad small squad meant less bodies to choose from less chance of making a bloomer 3years from cup glory to relegation wonder if its a record the man couldnt [pick his nose never mind a team with players in thier right position sack him now dont wait till next week
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