Greg Halford's towering second-half header booked Sheffield United a date at Wembley for 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 Coca-Cola Championship semi-final second leg against Preston at Bramall Lane.

Halford's winner was deserved and Kevin Blackwell's side now stand just one game away from a return to the Barclays Premier League, two years after they were controversially relegated.

The fact that United have lost each of their previous play-off finals - in 1997, 1998 and 2003 - was lost on most in a crowd of 26,354 that ensured another raucous night to remember for the red and white half of Sheffield.

Preston, outplayed for large chunks of a helter-skelter play-off tie, refused to surrender and threatened to take the game to extra-time with a fighting finale.

But the Lilywhites, who have reached the play-offs four times since promotion to the Championship in 2000, will have to wait another season at least after spending 48 years out of the top flight.

Blades manager Blackwell was forced into two changes from the side that started the first leg.

Strikers Jamie Ward and Darius Henderson were ruled out through injury, so David Cotterill and Craig Beattie stepped up, the latter up front on his own.

Preston's Alan Irvine made a double tactical switch, with Chris Brown and Barry Nicholson, both second-half substitutes at Deepdale, starting in place of Neil Mellor and Darren Carter respectively.

Preston pair Ross Wallace and Jon Parkin were both booked in a high-octane first half packed with tension but low on chances.

Wallace was first into referee Alan Wiley's book for his lunging challenge on Nick Montgomery and Parkin was lucky to avoid a straight red for his studs-up tackle on Halford.

The Blades shaded the first period with Brian Howard and Nick Montgomery outstanding in midfield, but while Cotterill and Kyle Naughton peppered the Preston penalty area with crosses, the final ball eluded lone striker Beattie.

Preston midfielder Nicholson rifled a 20-yard shot over the crossbar and Wallace cracked a free-kick against the wall, but the Blades carried the greater threat going forward.

Howard drove wide in the 25th minute and Halford's rising shot was also off target, while Chris Sedgwick blazed over at the other end.

The Blades came within a lick of paint from the opening goal five minutes into the second half when Howard's deft flick teed up Beattie, whose low drive shaved Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan's post.

Beattie then forced Lonergan into a fine one-handed save with a downward header from another Cotterill cross.

But Preston cracked under the deluge. Walker was the supplier on the right and Halford rose highest to guide a superb header beyond Lonergan and into the far corner.

It had taken the Blades an hour to break the deadlock, but the visitors almost levelled it up three minutes later when Billy Jones' raking drive was parried by home goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

Preston's response was immediate and they enjoyed a period of sustained pressure.

Irvine sent on Mellor and Carter in the 72nd minute, but moments later Beattie almost doubled the Blades' advantage when his shot was blocked by Preston defender Sean St Ledger on the goalline.

Moments later the sprawling Montgomery kept out Jones' low shot in similar fashion.

Blades midfielder Stephen Quinn was thwarted by the on-rushing Lonergan in the 86th minute and although Wiley played four minutes of time added on, the home side held firm and await either Burnley or Reading, who play in the second semi-final.

Teams:

Sheff Utd Kenny, Naughton, Kilgallon, Morgan, Walker, Howard, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Halford (Bromby 82), Beattie, Cotterill.

Subs Not Used: Hendrie, Lupoli, Webber, Sharp.

Booked: Stephen Quinn, Cotterill.

Goals: Halford 59.

Preston Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St. Ledger, Nolan, Sedgwick (Mellor 72), McKenna, Nicholson (Carter 72), Wallace, Parkin, Brown (Elliott 62).

Subs Not Used: Neal, Chilvers.

Booked: Wallace, Parkin, Mawene.

Agg (2-1)

Att: 26,354

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).