be relegated from the Premiership. As a result, only Middlesbrough, the winners of the league, gained automatic promotion to the Premiership. The teams placed from second to fifth place in the Football League First Division, the second tier of the English football league system, partook in play-off semi-finals. Reading finished the regular 1994–95 season in second place in the table, one place ahead of Bolton Wanderers. Both therefore missed out on automatic promotion and instead took part in the play-offs to determine the second promoted team. Reading finished three points behind league winners Middlesbrough. Bolton ended the season two points behind Reading. Reading faced Tranmere Rovers in their semi-final play-off with the first leg being played at Prenton Park on 14 May 1995. Reading took an early lead when Stuart Lovell scored in the ninth minute with a volley from Lee Nogan's cross. Despite being under considerable pressure, Tranmere equalised seven minutes later when Chris Malkin headed a cross from John Morrissey into the Reading goal. Reading regained the advantage in the 75th minute through Nogan before Lovell made it 3–1 after converting a rebound from a Nogan shot. The second leg was held at Elm Park in Reading three days later. Once again, Reading dominated the match and midway through the second half Tranmere's Tony Thomas was sent off after being shown two yellow cards. The match ended goalless and Reading qualified for the play-off final with a 3–1 aggregate victory. Bolton Wanderers' play-off semi-final opponents were Wolverhampton Wanderers and the first leg was played at Molineux in Wolverhampton on 14 May 1995. Steve Bull scored with a header from a Robbie Dennison cross past Peter Shilton in the Bolton goal to open the scoring just before half time. Jason McAteer scored the equaliser for Bolton early in the second half with a chip, before Don Goodman's header across the face of goal was nodded in by Mark Venus to secure a 2–1 victory for Wolves. The second leg of the semi-final took place at Burnden Park in Bolton three days later. John McGinlay's goal in the 44th minute put Bolton ahead and levelled the tie 2–2 on aggregate and with a goalless second half, the game went into extra time. With eleven minutes remaining, McGinlay scored his and Bolton's second, ensuring their 3–2 aggregate victory and qualification for the final. Match Background Bolton had lost the 1991 Play-off