Reading's faint hopes of creeping into the play-offs were finally extinguished after teenage substitute Ashley Young gave Watford a deserved victory at Vicarage Road.
The hosts, finally playing with freedom after a season of struggle, outplayed a hesitant Reading side who failed to mount any significant pressure in a meek second-half display.
Though back-to-back wins against Millwall and West Brom had kept Reading's promotion dream alive until now, they kicked off needing at least three other results to go their way in order to finish inside the top six.
But when Young shot through a crowded penalty area two minutes before the break results elsewhere were rendered irrelevant.
Neal Ardley's recovery from a calf injury prompted his inclusion in Watford's defence for possibly his final game for the club, with his contract expiring this summer.
Ray Lewington also recalled Heidar Helguson after a knee injury, but his early plans were disrupted after Lee Cook limped off after just 19 minutes.
His replacement, 18-year-old Young, soon adapted to the pace of the game and drew a smart save from Jamie Ashdown after finding space to let fly 25 yards from goal.
Reading defender Adie Williams was guilty of spurning his side's best opportunity of the half when he directed James Harper's corner over the bar from close range.
Watford twice went close to doubling their advantage before the break, with headers from Bruce Dyer and Helguson forcing Ashdown into action.
Steve Coppell replaced John Salako with Paul Brooker at the break and the substitute immediately forced Neil Cox into a last-ditch block.
The Royals boss then showed his hand 10 minutes later by using his two remaining changes to throw on Lloyd Owusu and Dean Morgan.
However, the new personnel did little to calm the nerves which so hampered the visitors and Watford continued to carry the more potent threat.
Paul Devlin was revelling the space left behind as Reading poured forward, and Dyer should have done better when he headed the winger's cross timidly at Ashdown.
Dave Kitson attempted to inspire his side with a fierce strike which soared narrowly over the bar, but his effort was a rare bright moment for Reading, who will be playing Division One football again next season.
Teams
Watford Chamberlain, Ardley, Cox, Doyley, Mayo, Devlin, Hyde,
Mahon (Vernazza 90), Cook (Young 19), Helguson (Fitzgerald 74),
Dyer.
Subs Not Used: Pidgeley, Bouazza.
Booked: Helguson, Fitzgerald.
Goals: Young 43.
Reading Ashdown, Murty, Williams, Newman, Hughes,
Savage (Morgan 56), Harper, Sidwell, Salako (Brooker 45),
Goater (Owusu 56), Kitson.
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Gordon.
Att: 17,979
Ref: D Crick (Surrey).
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