Coventry fought its way past Middlesbrough into the Sky Bet Championship play-off final, and Gustavo Hamer's goal brought them within one game of the Premier League.
In a tense second leg at the Riverside Stadium, the midfielder with Brazilian descent sealed a 1-0 aggregate triumph with a lovely goal in the 57th minute.
On May 27, Luton will be the opponent for Mark Robins' team at Wembley, where a return to the top division for the first time since 2001 is at stake.
It was the ideal way to cap off a day in which the Sky Blues announced their manager had signed a new four-year contract, but it was a very depressing one for Michael Carrick, whose team will now play in the second division for a seventh consecutive season.
Viktor Gyokeres intercepted Tommy Smith's errant back pass after eight minutes, but goalkeeper Zack Steffen saved him with a fine save as the striker attempted to round him. Boro started the game in a confident manner, with left-back Ryan Giles making numerous threats.
In the 17th minute, a cross from Hamer was headed high over by defender Kyle McFadzean as City steadily gained control of the game. By the time Liam Kelly and Ben Sheaf started to establish themselves in the middle of the field, there was nothing to separate the teams.
Sheaf and then McFadzean collided into Chuba Akpom and Cameron Archer, making them feel the full power of Coventry's aggressive style. Eventually, referee David Coote lost patience and booked Callum Doyle for a careless challenge on Akpom.
Five minutes before halftime, Jake Bidwell bravely stopped Marcus Forss from shooting after Giles' deep cross, and Darragh Lenihan headed an Alex Mowatt corner straight at Ben Wilson.
After Gyokeres and Sheaf took advantage of Akpom's error in the 50th minute, the Sky Blues came back reenergized with Jamie Allen directing proceedings menacingly behind the lone striker. However, the midfielder missed his kick from barely six yards out.
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