Blues lose play-off semi-final on penalties

Birmingham City's hopes of promotion to the Premiership have ended in heartbreak once again, after they lost to Preston North End on penalties in the First Division play-off semi-final.

Preston won the second leg 2-1 after extra time at Deepdale on 17 May, making the aggregate score 2-2, and then won the shoot-out 4-2.

A cruel end

Blues had taken a 1-0 lead into the second leg, after Nicky Eaden's goal at St Andrew's on 13 May. When Geoff Horsfield scored early in the second half at Deepdale, they looked to be on their way to the final.

But Preston fought back. David Healy scored to bring them level on the night, and Mark Rankine struck in stoppage time to level the tie on aggregate and force extra time. There were no more goals, and the game went to penalties.

Preston scored four of their penalties, and Blues could manage only two, leaving their players and supporters devastated.

Third time unlucky

This is the third season in a row that Blues have lost in the play-off semi-finals. In 1999 they lost to Watford on penalties, and last year they were beaten by Barnsley.

For a club that has been out of the top flight since 1986, the repeated disappointment is hard to take. Many supporters had believed this would finally be their year.

A season of near misses

The play-off defeat caps a season of near misses. In February, Blues reached the League Cup final, only to lose to Liverpool on penalties in Cardiff.

Their run to the final, beating three Premiership clubs along the way, showed that the team can compete with the best. But it may also have taken its toll, with a crowded fixture list in the second half of the season.

What next for Francis?

Manager Trevor Francis has been in charge since 1996, and has led Blues to the play-offs three times and to a major final. But questions will now be asked about whether he can take the club any further.

The club's owners, David Gold and David Sullivan, have invested heavily in the team, and will want to see a return on their investment. Promotion to the Premiership would bring a huge increase in income from television and gate receipts.

Francis will be given money to strengthen his squad over the summer, but expectations will be high. The pressure will be on to deliver automatic promotion next season, rather than relying on the lottery of the play-offs.

Preston go on

Preston, managed by David Moyes, will now face Bolton Wanderers in the final in Cardiff. The Lancashire club were promoted from the Second Division only last season, and have enjoyed a remarkable campaign.

For Blues fans, the wait for top-flight football goes on.