Paul Jewell's Derby are now officially the worst team in Premier League history after a 3-1 defeat at Blackburn gave them their 28th loss of the season.
The Rams' latest loss leaves them stranded on 11 points with just one game to go, and means they cannot now overhaul Sunderland's previous record low total of 15 points from two years ago.
With a goal difference of minus 65 it's not surprising that Derby were unable to hold on to the shock lead given to them by Kenny Miller midway through the first half.
Defensive lapses either side of the break saw Rovers leading scorer Roque Santa Cruz and then Jason Roberts give Blackburn the lead.
The inevitable third came in the 77th minute when Bentley swung in a right-foot cross from the left and the Paraguayan netted his second with a stooping header.
Derby boss Paul Jewell shrugged off his side's 'worst ever tag' insisting his thoughts have already turned towards next season.
Jewell said: "It's not about that. It would have been nice to have got six points from our last two games but we all know on the form we've shown this season it wasn't going to happen.
"The important thing now is trying to build for next season. There has to be a whole culture change. We have to be mentally stronger as well as physically stronger and that's what we have to do between now and June 27."
Jewell pronounced himself "comfortable" with the budget he will be given to change his side's fortunes in the Championship next season but admitted it was nothing like the £12million kitty suggested in some quarters.
He added: "I've got to try to chop and change and whatever I can generate I can put back into the players. But I'm comfortable with the budget and the amount of manoeuvring I can do."
Jewell blamed more slack defending for his side's inability to build on a bright start and hold onto Kenny Miller's surprise 19th-minute opener until half-time.
He said: "It was the same old story and it's what relegated teams do. We played well for 44 minutes but didn't concentrate. We created some decent opportunities but that goal was a kick in the teeth."
Paying tribute to 5,000 vocal travelling fans, Jewell continued: "They must be the best supporters in the country considering what they have had to watch. The sooner we can give them a team they deserve the better."
