<P> In the seasons prior to the 1990 play - offs, the finals were two - legged ties with both teams hosting the other once . If the two teams could not be separated, a tie - breaker was then staged at a neutral venue . This was used on three occasions: the 1987 Second Division final was played at Birmingham City's St. Andrews; the 1987 Third Division final was played at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park; and the 1988 Third Division final was played at Walsall's Fellows Park (though this was not strictly a neutral venue, as Walsall was one of the clubs involved). </P> <P> Since 1990 a one - off final match has been used to determine the play - off winners, which has traditionally been staged at the old Wembley Stadium . Between 2001 and 2006 the final was instead moved to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium while the new Wembley Stadium was being constructed . In 2011 the Football League was forced to use Old Trafford for the League One and League Two play - off finals because Wembley was unavailable, being used instead for the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final . </P> <P> Before the 1999--2000 season away goals were used as a tie - breaker after extra time had been played, however, this was abolished following a club initiative launched by then - Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks, after his club had twice lost on away goals in 1997 and 1999 . Since then away goals have played no part in the play - off system . </P> <P> A change to the format of the play - offs was proposed by Crystal Palace chief executive Phil Alexander in 2003 . Alexander recommended expanding the number of teams in each play - off series from four to six, providing more clubs with a chance at promotion . Additionally, the two - legged semi-finals would have been replaced by one - off quarter - final and semi-final games, both of which would give home advantage to the team that finished higher during the league season . The two highest placed clubs in the play - off series would advance directly to the semi-final, while the other four clubs would contest the quarter - final . </P>

Do away goals count in league one playoffs