After finishing 20th in the 2003-04 season , a dramatic improvement in the 2004-05 season saw Derby finish 4th in the Football League Championship , qualifying for a promotion play-off spot , though they lost in the semi-finals to Preston North End .
Derby finished 20th in the 2003-2004 First Division campaign , but did much better in the 2004-05 season and finished 4th in the Division which was now called the Football League Championship .