The first half ended scoreless: Brian Tinnion's free kick was kept out by Brighton's goalkeeper Ben Roberts, and after Tommy Doherty fouled Nathan Jones in the 43rd minute, Leon Knight's curling free kick from 20 yards (18 metres) struck the Bristol City crossbar.

The referee awarded a penalty which Knight struck past Steve Phillips in the Bristol City goal.

In their following season, Bristol City finished in seventh position in the Second Division and missed out on the play-offs by one place and one point.

Bristol City finished one point behind Queens Park Rangers (who were promoted in second place) and eight behind league winners Plymouth Argyle.

With 18 minutes remaining, Richard Carpenter's deflected shot beat Rhys Evans in the Swindon goal to secure a 1–0 victory for the visitors.

A diving header from Adam Virgo in the last moments of extra time made it 2–2 on aggregate and sent the match to a penalty shootout.

Five minutes before half-time, Adam Boyd hit Bristol City's goalpost and the half ended goalless.

[15] His counterpart, Danny Wilson, had been in charge at Bristol City since 2000, and had led the team to victory in the 2003 Football League Trophy Final at the Millennium Stadium.

"[17] Peacock's availability was in doubt for Bristol City with an injured ankle while Mickey Bell was suffering from a jarred knee.

On 62 minutes, both sides made their first substitutions, with Brighton's Paul Reid coming on for Carpenter and Scott Murray replacing Lee Miller for Bristol City.

[19] On 84 minutes, Chris Iwelumo ran into the Bristol City penalty area, where he was brought down by Danny Coles.

The referee awarded a penalty which Knight struck past Steve Phillips in the Bristol City goal to make it 1–0 to Brighton.

[19][22] McGhee claimed the best team won, saying: "They never hurt us and I cannot remember any critical saves that Ben Roberts had to make ... To be a part of a day like this is incredible – as good as anything you will ever experience in football.

[26] In their following season, Bristol City finished in seventh position in the Second Division and missed out on the play-offs by one place and one point.