Play-off Defeats
Preston has made the play-offs in a record eight seasons and in all three divisions, but has not yet been promoted via this route. Preston's first appearance in the play-offs was in 1989 where it was beaten in the 3rd Division (now League One) play-off semi-final by Port Vale.
In the third division (now League Two, formerly division 4) the club lost in the 1994 final to Wycombe Wanderers 4–2 at Wembley after beating Torquay United in the semi-finals. A year later the club was beaten by Bury in the semi-finals.
Preston's next appearance was in the then Second Division (now League One) in 1999 where it was beaten by Gillingham in the semi-final. Following promotion to the 1st Division in 1999/2000, Preston reached the play-offs in its first season at the higher level, beating Birmingham City in the semi-final on penalties before being beaten by Lancashire rivals Bolton Wanderers in the final. This was the first to be held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Preston reached the play-offs again in 2005 where it once again reached the final in Cardiff after beating Derby County in the semi-final. Unfortunately, once again the club was beaten in the final, this time by West Ham United. Preston's 2006 play-off campaign again resulted in defeat, this time at the semi-final stage against Leeds United.
Preston North End reached the play-offs once again on 3 May 2009. To get there, it defeated Queens Park Rangers 2–1 on the last day of the season. Goals from Jon Parkin and Sean St. Ledger, in the 34th and 74th minutes, helped the club to overtake Cardiff City, (which lost 1–0 to Sheffield Wednesday) to take the 6th place spot and, ultimately, a chance for top-flight football in the Premier League. Preston and Cardiff had the same number of points and the same goal difference, but Preston had scored one more goal and finished ahead of Cardiff in the league table. In the first leg of their semi-final, Preston and Sheffield United drew 1–1 at Deepdale. In the second leg, however, Preston's hopes of Premier League football were shattered once again, losing 1–0 at Sheffield, suffering a 2–1 loss on aggregate. A 59th-minute goal by Greg Halford sealed Preston's exit from the playoff stages, with Sheffield destined for the play-off final against Burnley at Wembley Stadium. Sheffield lost the final 1–0.
Read more about this topic: Preston North End F.C.
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