They drank their beer, sang their songs, donned their masks and paid their heartfelt tribute, writes Steve Madeley.

See also: Fans cannot mask feelings for Mowbray

Then almost 3,000 Albion fans basked in the Lancashire sun and endulged in a rare Premier League luxury. They relaxed.

As they peered through their cardboard faces, the massed ranks of ‘Tony Mowbrays’ watched their own team while keeping one eye on the trauma of others.

What they would have given to share the pre-match hope of Newcastle and Hull supporters. But at least relegation with one week to go spared the Baggies’ faithful the agony that often goes with it.

There was more than a passing interest in events elsewhere and, by and large, things went rather well for Albion across the country.

Newcastle’s tribulations ensured at least one glamour trip next season while providing the Championship with a guaranteed “big fish” to take the national spotlight of Mowbray’s men.

Confirmation of Middlesbrough’s demotion might pose a more serious footballing threat next term but their fate was already all-but certain.

And, arguably most pleasing of all, some late drama at Wembley spared the Baggies the dubious pleasure of a trip to Millwall next season.

Back at Ewood Park there was no such drama, tension or emotion. But the travelling legions lapped it up.

Rarely in their four Premier League seasons have Albion supporters been able to enjoy a day, free from pressure or nerves.

But for one bittersweet afternoon in the glorious spring sunshine, they were able to watch their team utterly outplay an established top-flight side without any concern about potential consequences.

The disappointment and regret that will taint their summer was put on hold for a few hours as they bid a proud goodbye to the top-flight for at least a year.

And, typically, their team said their farewells with an all-too familiar cocktail of style and frustration.

The attacking swagger that has characterised much of this ultimately failed campaign was there again. Sadly, so was the profligacy in front of goal that has undermined so much of their good play.

There was the odd defensive howler too – it wouldn’t be Albion without them – but such was the demob’ mood in the Rovers camp that the home side never truly threatened to cash in.

Albion should have won. But the fact they didn’t was unlikely ever to dampen the end-of-term party mood among supporters determined to enjoy themselves regardless.

There was some excellent football to cheer and a bizarre red card for a Baggies old boy to get them talking. But in truth, a ‘nothing match’ never fully sprang into life.

Albion made a promising start with the recalled Borja Valero making a strong early burst from midfield.

But it was the home side who were first to threaten as El Hadji Diouf cut in from the left and tried a curling shot that just cleared the crossbar.

The game was wide open in the early stages, however, and the Baggies could have been ahead moments later when a fine ball by Valero sent Chris Brunt clear on the right. He cut to the edge of the area but his shot was deflected over for a corner by Gael Givet.

There was little urgency in the defending at either end and on 10 minutes makeshift striker Chris Samba was made to look like a natural as he cut inside the flat-footed Ryan Donk but curled a left-footed shot just over the bar.

Valero was next to try his luck when he fired straight at Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson after a neat exchange between Albion’s Paul Robinson and Juan Carlos Menseguez.

But Samba should have fired the hosts ahead when he sprang a sluggish Baggies offside trap and outmuscled Jonas Olsson, beating Dean Kiely with a shot that cannoned off the base of the post.

Stephen Warnock then brought a smart diving save from Kiely, who turned the ball behind for a corner as the home side began to get on top. A minute before the break Brunt almost hammered his side ahead with a wonderful volley.

He met a Jonathan Greening cross at the far post but Robinson made a tremendous save and the ball cannoned off the woodwork and away to safety.

Six minutes after half-time Albion broke through Marc-Antoine Fortune and Menseguez, who combined to tee up the galloping Robert Koren, but he sent a first-time shot a couple of yards wide. A tepid second period stirred fractionally just after the hour mark as strong Baggies penalty appeals fell on deaf ears.

Givet appeared to use a forearm to block a cross by Brunt but referee Mike Jones was having none of it.

And a minute later the Baggies should have been in front when Koren’s persistence inside the box created a good chance for the visitors.

Fortune leapt above Warnock to meet the Slovenian’s cross at the far post but he sent his header wide of the target.

Koren’s switch to the left flank for the second period gave Albion something extra and another energetic run from the midfielder allowed him to find Brunt with a ball across the area. But the wideman’s left-footed shot flew over.

And the quiet Menseguez then produced a neat turn just inside the box but he dragged his right-footed effort just wide. Albion’s chances were improved with 19 minutes left with the dismissal of substitute Jason Roberts against his former club.

Mr Jones spotted an off-the-ball clash with Jonas Olsson that the rest of the stadium missed and brandished the red card to the bemusement of both sets of fans and most of the players.

The Baggies should have made their advantage count with 13 minutes left as Greening found himself unmarked at the far post to meet a corner by Brunt but he found a way to place a simple header wide of the target.

The end-of-season theme was upheld with five minutes left as Tugay left English football to a standing ovation from the Ewood Park faithful.And that was the cue for both sides to accept a draw – and for the Baggies fans to head back to the pub.