LEEDS UNITED 2 (Howson 59, Beckford 63), BRISTOL ROVERS 1 (Duffy 47)
United: Higgs, Hughes, Bromby, Collins, Lowry (Howson 54), Doyle, Kilkenny, Johnson, Beckford, (Snodgrass 90), Becchio (Watt 88), Gradel. Subs: Ankergren, Grella, McSheffery, Michalik, Snodgrass.
Bristol Rovers: Anderson, Regan, Limes, Coles, Campbell. Duffy (Richards 80), D. Hughes, Anthony, Kuffor, Reece (Williams72), Jones. Subs: Evans, Wright, Blizzard, Clough, Swallow, Richards.
Referee: G.Salisbury
Booked: Jones, Duffy (Rovers), Doyle (United)
Sent off: Gradel
Att:: 38,234
United's side showed two changes from that which lost to a late goal at Charlon. Skipper and central defender Richard Naylor was out through injury and manager Simon Grayson dropped Rober t Snodgrass to the substitute's bench.
Leigh Bromby came into the centre of defence and leading scorer Jermaine Beckford came back into the starting line-up and was given the captain's armband.
There was a terrific atmosphere inside the stadium and an air of expectancy, though with the prize at stake such a big one, some fans had admitted to a little anxiousnes. Five teams had a chance of second spot at the start of the games but United had the key card - beat Rovers and win promotion.
United, backed by a sell out crowd, began strongly and the Pirates' goal came under threat on several occasions.
Good work by Beckford out near the left-hand corner flag set Johnson free and his dangerous looking cross was palmed away by keeper Mikkel Andersen. Then Max Gradel hit a low cross accross the face of the goal where Luciano Becchio was only inches away from turning the ball in. Beckford also threatened again but just could not connect at the vital time.
The Pirates forced a couple of corners but United dealt comfortably with them.
Jones was loudly booed whenever he touched the ball but the visitors pressed more strongly and Darryl Duffy was booked for a challenge on United keeper Shane Higgs. United had more defending to do but the scoreline remained goalless at half time. The referee and the players left the field amidst security staff to a loud chorus of boos.
United suffered a huge blow within two minutes of the restart when the visitors took the lead. Jones' cross from the left was hooked back by Joe Kuffor and Duffy was on hand to fire home from close range.
Becchio went close for United and the referee turned down a penalty appeal when Johnson's shot was blocked.
The cheers were ringing round Elland Road in the 59th minute after United equalised. Jonny Howson, who had come on as a 54th minute substitute for Lowry curled in a shot from just outside the penalty area after Becchio played back Johnson's cross to him.
Four minutes later the cheers erupted again when ten-man United took the lead. Johnson was again involved in the build-up with a cross from the left which was half stopped by a defender and there was Beckford waiting to pounce for his 31st goal of the season.
United went looking for a third goal but were indebted to a brave stop by keeper Shane Higgs who dived at the feet of the inrushing Kuffor in the 72 minute.
United went close to increasing their lead 15 minutes from the end when a header from Collins hit the woodwork.
Both sides were still going hard at it as the minutes ticked by but United stayed firm to clinch a win against the odds ,... and promotion.
Although there had been repeated request for fans to stay off the pitch hundreds of them came on at the end to celebrate.
