The 21-year-old winger, who went closest to breaking the deadlock with a fierce 20-yard strike that cannoned back off the angle early in the second half before Town secured an 8-7 penalty shootout win over Sheffield United, also smashed a shot on to the crossbar in the final the previous season when Town lost 3-0 to Peterborough.
Ward said: "I couldn't believe it when it hit the bar. I thought 'oh no, it's going to be exactly the same as last year', but we kept going, we defended as a team and worked hard for each other and we got our rewards.
"It was the only chance I got and it was so close, but it's just the way it goes. It did cross my mind that luck was going to go against us again, but thankfully that's not been the case."
Ward, signed from Bolton in July 2011 after an initial loan spell, added: "It's what we've been working so hard for and we've deserved it. The lads have gone out and performed again in a tough game because of the weather and because Sheffield United are a very good team.
"It's great to be a Championship player. I dropped down the divisions to get games, but my main goal when I came was to help get Huddersfield promoted and we've all worked so hard all season to get this."
