Preston North End had participated in the play-offs once before, losing in the 1989 semi-finals to Port Vale. Preston had played in the Third Division since winning promotion from the Fourth Division in the 1986–87 season. Preston's last competitive match at Wembley Stadium was the 1964 FA Cup Final, where they had lost 3–2 to West Ham United. Wycombe Wanderers had gained promotion from non-League football when they finished the 1992–93 Football Conference as champions and as such were making their first appearance in the play-offs in their first season in the Football League. They had played at the national stadium the previous season, defeating Runcorn in the 1993 FA Trophy final. In the matches between the sides during the regular season, Wycombe had won 3–2 at Deepdale in November 1993 while the return fixture at Adams Park the following May ended in a 1–1 draw.