Greg Halford's towering second-half header booked Sheffield United a date at Wembley as the Blades beat Preston 1-0 to secure their fourth play-off final in 12 years.

The tall midfielder, on a season-long loan from Sunderland, rose to steer Kyle Walker's cross into the top corner on the hour-mark to settle a typically nerve-jangling Championship semi-final second leg at Bramall Lane.

Halford's winner was deserved and Kevin Blackwell's side, who drew the first leg 1-1 at Deepdale, now stand just one game away from a return to the Premier League, two years after they were controversially relegated.

Asked if he felt the result was deserved, Blackwell said: "I think so, I thought the players were magnificent tonight.

"We were relentless but at one point I thought we weren't going to get the goal.

"But it came and it was a very good goal and Greg took it well."

Alan Irvine confesses his Preston side were second best to United.

The North End boss said: "We wanted to go the next step and then the one after that, so we're all clearly very disappointed.

"I can't speak for previous play-offs and it wasn't down to luck this time in any case.

"Sheffield United were better than us in both games and deserved to go through overall.

"But we've made great progress and the lads can be very proud and I told them that.

"As a result of their hard work they've managed to progress to a level nobody expected."