Dijon's Ligue 1 life came to a shuddering halt tonight after a crushing defeat at Rennes condemned them to relegation.

Goals by Victor Montano, Jires Ekoko (2), Jonathan Pitroipa and Youssouf Hadji saw Rennes to a sixth-placed finish - just outside the European berths.

Dijon lost their discipline as their fate became clear, losing both Younousse Sankhare and Chaher Zarour to red cards as they finished the campaign second-bottom after a dismissal nine-match winless run.

It took just eight minutes for the hosts to go in front, Montano receiving the ball from Julien Feret and ghosting past three defenders before slotting the ball home.

Dijon's hopes took a further hit shortly before the break when Sankhare saw red for arguing with the referee, who moments earlier had turned down a penalty appeal after John Boye appeared to handle in the area.

Rennes extended their lead a minute into the second period when Cedric Varrault fouled Pitroipa in the area, and Ekoko sent Baptiste Reynet the wrong way from the spot.

In the 50th minute, Feret crossed for Pitroipa to make it 3-0, while it was four eight minutes later as Feret again turned provider, this time teeing up Ekoko to add his second from close range.

Zarour was dismissed with 70 minutes gone for an ugly challenge on Montano, while the final nail in Dijon's coffin came in the 81st minute when Romain Danze created space down the right and crossed for Hadji, who sent a low drive beyond the helpless Reynet.