Sheffield United overcame Preston to book their place in the Championship play-off final courtesy of Greg Halford's second-half header.
An edgy game saw chances at a premium before Halford rose above Youl Mawene to power home Kyle Walker's deep cross.
Preston threw men forward and Jon Parkin tested Paddy Kenny before Brian Howard cleared off the line from Neil Mellor's six-yard drive.
But United held firm with some stout late defending to progress to Wembley.
Kevin Blackwell's side were rewarded for their attacking intent and now find themselves just one game away from a return to the Premier League, two years after they were controversially relegated.
Sheff Utd: Kenny, Naughton, Kilgallon, Morgan, Walker, Howard, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Halford (Bromby 82), Beattie, Cotterill.
Subs Not Used: Hendrie, Lupoli, Webber, Sharp.
Booked: Stephen Quinn, Cotterill.
Goals: Halford 59.
Preston: Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Nolan, Sedgwick (Mellor 72), McKenna, Nicholson (Carter 72), Wallace, Parkin, Brown (Elliott 62).
Subs Not Used: Neal, Chilvers.
Booked: Wallace, Parkin, Mawene.
Att: 26,354
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
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