Late in the first half, Craig Rocastle played a one-two with Lee Peacock before crossing to Jon-Paul McGovern who scored to put Sheffield Wednesday ahead at half-time.

Sheffield Wednesday finished fourteen points behind Hull City (who were promoted in second place) and twenty-six behind league winners Luton Town.

In the 32nd minute, Jon Daly flicked on a long throw from Ritchie Humphreys, and Adam Boyd struck a shot past goalkeeper John Achterberg.

The first half ended goalless but second-half goals from Ryan Taylor and David Beresford made it 2–0 to Tranmere and levelled the aggregate score, sending the game into extra time.

Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, the Hartlepool goalkeeper, saved strikes from both Taylor and Ian Sharps, and although Mark Tinkler missed his spot kick, Humphreys' goal secured a 6–5 penalty win and passage to the final.

Jon-Paul McGovern put the home side ahead in the 11th minute: he received the ball from a James Quinn backheel before striking past Stuart Nelson in the Brentford goal, despite Sam Sodje's attempt to clear it off the line.

The Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper David Lucas made a save from Deon Burton allowing his side to make a quick break from which they won a free-kick.

Andy Frampton scored a late consolation goal with a volley but the match ended 2–1 to Sheffield Wednesday who progressed to the Millennium Stadium with a 3–1 aggregate victory.

[8][9] Neale Cooper, the Hartlepool manager, left the club in May 2005 "by mutual consent" with his side needing only a draw in their final league game to secure a place in the play-offs.

Late in the first half, Craig Rocastle played a one-two with Peacock before crossing to McGovern who scored to put Sheffield Wednesday ahead at half-time.

On 75 minutes, Sheffield Wednesday made a triple-substitution with Pat Collins, MacLean and Drew Talbot coming on for Alex Bruce, Quinn and Peacock.

[24] Four minutes into the first period of additional time, a mistake from Nelson allowed Whelan to strike the ball across the Hartlepool goalkeeper and into the goal to make it 3–2 to Sheffield Wednesday.

Hartlepool gradually sent more players forward but Talbot secured the victory for Sheffield Wednesday when he scored in the 120th minute to make it 4–2 to see his side promoted to the Championship.

[24] Sturrock said he was "relieved, tired and in need of a drink" but paid his respect to the opposing team, noting "credit to Hartlepool, they came out and rolled on top of us".

"[27] In an interview to commemorate the 15th anniversary of their win, Sheffield Wednesday's captain Lee Bullen noted that team-bonding was a key part of their success.