Coppell moved to Reading in autumn 2003 and was replaced by Mark McGhee, who had achieved Division Two promotion success with Reading in 1994 and Millwall in 2001 — both occasions as champions. McGhee achieved promotion with Brighton at the first time of asking after a dramatic two-legged play-off semi-final against Swindon in which Adam Virgo headed an injury time equaliser in extra time to take the match to 2–2 and a subsequent penalty shoot out which Albion won. This was followed by a 1–0 victory over Bristol City in the 2003–04 Division Two play-off final (courtesy of a Leon Knight penalty in the 82nd minute) gaining them a place in the newly-named Coca-Cola Football League Championship for the 2004–05 season. Albion ended in 20th position out of 24 teams in the 2004–2005 season, just avoiding the drop by a single point, however achieving their highest league position for 14 years. Brighton were demoted two matches prior the end of the 2005–06 Championship campaign after a disappointing season on the South coast.