The FA Cup competition was resumed for the 1945–46 season, but the resumption of the Football League had to wait one more year. Portsmouth, as a Division One team and as the "current" holders (from 1939!), were drawn to play against Birmingham City in the Third Round stage. The first leg of the tie was played at Birmingham's St. Andrew's stadium on 5 January 1946 and resulted 1–0 in Birmingham City's favour; the second leg at Fratton Park ended 0–0 on 9 January 1946, with Birmingham City winning 1–0 on aggregate. The FA Cup trophy was not to stay with Portsmouth for an eighth consecutive year and was returned to the Football Association in time for the 1946 FA Cup Final, in which Derby County were the winners and awarded the trophy.