Bristol City came back from two goals down to draw with Preston North End as they earned a place in the Championship play-offs for the first time in 17 years while the visitors secured their status in the division for next season.

With Blackburn and Millwall failing to win at Sheffield United and Burnley, respectively, the point proved academic in terms of the Robins' place in the top six but did mean they drop below Coventry City to set up a semi-final against the Blades.

For Preston, Luton's heavy defeat at The Hawthorns meant they stayed up with points to spare.

Preston had taken what appeared a commanding lead with goals either side of half-time from Emil Riis and Milutin Osmajic, both strikers giving the Robins defence a torrid afternoon throughout.

But City responded impressively with Ross McCrorie meeting a Nahki Wells cross and, not long after Jason Knight struck the face of the crossbar, the Scotland international delivered a fine equaliser for his second goal.

With pressure on both teams it was Preston who undeniably showed greater purpose early on with a couple of miscued attempts from Robbie Brady, the midfielder slicing a volley well wide and then striking a powerful attempt over the crossbar.

City tried to respond through Wells who drove a low shot wide of the near post after Scott Twine's sharp lay-off, but the visitors were proving a frustrating obstacle to the Robins attempts to pass their way through to goal.

With Stuart McCall patrolling the touchline, as Paul Heckingbottom serves a two-match touchline ban, North End were compact and stayed disciplined, forcing City to continually pass along the edge of the 18-yard box.

As they imposed a degree of control on the game however, Preston struck with Osmajic beating Rob Dickie in a 50/50, advancing towards the box and then playing in Kaine Kesler-Hayden to his right. The wing-back cut inside onto his left foot but his attempt was deflected wide by the recovering McCrorie.

From the corner, Brady dropped it straight onto the head of Riis who outmuscled Dickie and converted from close range, sparking pandemonium among the away fans.

It very nearly got even better for the visitors as Brady found further space to cut inside and bend a fine effort around the outstretched arm of Max O'Leary but also the far post.

City were looking for signs of life as news of Blackburn's goal at Sheffield United filtered through and Max Bird came close to conjuring an equaliser as he unleashed a dipping drive that looked destined for the top corner only to take the slightest of deflections.

But Osmajic's physicality was a problem for the home defence all afternoon, and the Montenegrin was sent clean through just after the hour mark before sliding a finish under O'Leary, sparking more mayhem in the away end.

Still the home fans roared them on, Yu Hirakawa had an attempt deflected wide but the volume intensified significantly when Wells was played in down the right and, at the second attempt, clipped a cross for McCrorie to head in at the far post unmarked.

Knight very nearly delivered a quickfire equaliser with a rising drive that beat Cornell but not the crossbar.

The Ashton Gate faithful didn't have to wait long for that important second as Knight threaded a pass into McCrorie who had drifted infield and finished with confidence meaning the mayhem was now among the vast majority of the stadium.

Mehmeti glanced a header wide from George Earthy's cross as the Robins chased a winner while Preston, knowing results elsewhere, were happy to play out time, slowing the game down and producing a result that ultimately worked for both teams.

Semi-finals

Final

Bristol City head coach Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol: "I have no idea how I am feeling, to be honest. Exhausted, stressed, happy, over the moon, proud - what an afternoon.

"We made real hard work of it but I spoke to the lads beforehand and there's a lot made now about styles and philosophies, and we spoke about us to underpin everything with the culture we have got.

"It says on the shirts 'always believe' and we have done that numerous times now, and you see it today - it's a fantastic group of lads.

"I said to them, irrespective of what happens today, I couldn't be more proud of them and what they've done, so I'm delighted.

"I have had a tough six months. I spoke to the lads beforehand, 'today is everything'.

"There's no expectation or pressure on us so we have got to go and be brave and enjoy it. You see today the lads give everything for the shirt."

Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Really pleased with the performance. Bristol City have had two shots on target and scored two goals.

"We controlled the game without the ball and Emil [Riis] and Milli [Osmajic] were always a threat.

"I was really proud of the performance, just really disappointed with the goals [conceded]. They were the only two blips on a top away performance.

"It was a productive day for our strikers but that was because how hard they worked without the ball."