After being promoted to the First Division, Preston North End occupied the play-offs spots for most of the season and eventually finished fourth to qualify for the play-offs for promotion to thePremiership. After beatingBirmingham City 4–2 on penalties after a 2–2 draw on aggregate over two legs North End faced Lancashire rivalsBolton Wanderers at theMillennium Stadium. Bolton took a 17th-minute lead throughGareth Farrelly, and, despite Preston fighting for an equaliser, goals fromMichael Ricketts andRicardo Gardner in the 89th and 90th minutes ended Preston's hopes of a second successive promotion and a return to the top flight after an absence of over 50 years.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
