The Rams left themselves with too much to do to claw back a three-goal deficit in their play-off semi-final against Hull City although they gave the Tigers a scare when taking a 2-0 lead at the KC Stadium.
It leaves Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday to contest an all-Yorkshire final at Wembley on May 28.
The only other issues to be decided for next season's Championship is who comes up from the League One play-offs.
Millwall and Barnsley hold strong leads from their first-leg games against Bradford City and Walsall respectively.