Both Neil McNab and Chris Malkin went close to scoring for Tranmere early in the second half before Eric Nixon made an oustretched save to deny a diving header from Tony Cunningham in the 62nd minute, and the match ended goalless.

Malkin gave the home side the lead four minutes before half-time before Ian Muir made it 2–0 from the penalty spot, giving Tranmere a 2–0 aggregate victory.

In the 82nd second of the match, Bolton took the lead: a corner from Thomas found Lund at the far post who passed to Tommy Johnson who scored his 19th goal of the season.

Notts County had several other opportunities to score but as Bolton began to increase the pressure, Kevin Bartlett was sent clear with a pass from Thomas and made it 2–0.

[9] In the matches between play-off finalists during the regular season, both sides won their home games with Notts County winning 1–0 at Meadow Lane in October 1989 and Tranmere securing a 2–0 victory at Prenton Park the following March.

With 13 minutes of the game remaining, Johnson ran through the Tranmere defence and was fouled by Steve Mungall and a free kick was awarded.

David Fairclough was then brought on to replace Mungall and his first significant contribution was to head the ball wide of the goal from 8 yards (7.3 m) following a McNab cross.

Late in the match, Shaun Garnett was booked for a foul on Lund before the final whistle brought the game to a close with Notts County 2–0 winners and gaining promotion to the Second Division.

[12] His counterpart, Neil Warnock reflected on the financial impact of promotion, suggesting that Notts County "can now make ends meet next season".

[12] Ten days after the Second Division play-off final, winners Swindon Town were found guilty on 35 counts of illegal player payments and were given a two-division relegation.

[14][15] Following an appeal, Swindon's penalty was reduced to a one-division relegation and Tranmere's promotion was revoked, the condemnation of which was heard in an early day motion sponsored primarily by Frank Field, the Labour Party MP for Birkenhead.