Reading took the lead through Jamie Cureton half an hour into the game with a volley that crept over the line having struck Jimmy Walker in the Walsall goal.

Three minutes into the second half, Walsall levelled the game after Don Goodman scored from an Andy Tillson header.

Less than a minute into the first half of extra time, Martin Butler's header from a James Harper throw-in put Reading 2–1 ahead.

Two minutes later, Ian Brightwell passed to Darren Byfield who turned and scored with a low shot which beat Phil Whitehead in the Reading goal.

Reading finished five points behind Rotherham United (who were promoted in second place) and seven behind league winners Millwall.

[1] Walsall faced Stoke City in their play-off semi-final with the first match of the two-legged tie taking place at the Britannia Stadium on 13 May 2001.

Tom Bennett's inswinging corner was fumbled by Gavin Ward, the Stoke goalkeeper, and ended in the goal to level the scores.

Andy Liddell missed a number of chances for the home side before Roy Carroll saved headers from Reading's Barry Hunter and Phil Parkinson within the space of a minute; the match ended 0–0.

Kevin Nicholls put Wigan ahead midway through the first half with a shot from 20 yards (18 m) after being set up by Scott Green.

Their side held the lead until the 86th minute when Martin Butler scored from close range after Carroll had deflected Nicky Forster's cross.

Jamie Cureton took the spot kick but his shot was saved by Carroll, and Forster scored, to make it 2–1 and ensured Reading qualified for the final.

Soon after, McIntyre's header from Sammy Igoe's cross hit the Walsall crossbar with Walker beaten.

[16] Less than a minute into the first half of extra time, Butler's header from a Harper throw-in found the back of the Walsall net to put Reading 2–1 ahead.

[16] Midway through the half, Walsall made a triple substitution, Paul Hall, Leitão and Bennett being replaced by Matt Gadsby, Darren Byfield and Gábor Bukrán respectively.

The club's owner Jeff Bonser described the victory at the Millennium Stadium as the greatest day in the history of Walsall F.C.