CARLISLE 2 (Clayton 33, Hurst 72), UNITED 3 (Snodgrass 46, Crowe 80, Grella 86) (4-4 agg Carlisle won 6-5 on penalties)

Carlisle: Collin, Keogh, Livesey, Harte, Horwood, Clayton, Robson, Hurst, Kavanagh (Taiwo 73), Dobie (Madine 79), Thirlwell. Subs: Pidgeley, Murphy, Offiong.

United: Ankergren, Crowe, Naylor (Grella 79), Michalik, Lowry, Gradel, Doyle (Johnson 66), Howson (Kilkenny 66), McSheffrey, Snodgrass, Becchio. Subs: D Martin, Bromby. 

Referee: A Hall

Booked: Keogh (Carlisle), Crowe, Howson, Gradel (United)

Att: 9430

United manager Simon Grayson was without striker Jermaine Beckford as his side looked to overhaul a 2-1 first leg deficit to book a place at Wembley in the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Leeds had achieved success here two seasons ago in the Play-Offs when a 2-1 first leg defeat was avenged by a 2-0 win at Brunton Park in the second leg of the semi-final.

But it was Carlisle who went on the offensive straight from the kick-off and Casper Ankergren got down well to turn an Evan Horwood shot around the post. Lubo Michalik also got a decisive touch on an early cross to force a corner.

Leeds fashioned out a great chance after eight minutes, though. Robert Snodgrass showed good control to feed Luciano Becchio, but the striker's shot was wide of the mark. The striker also tested Adam Collin with a far post header from a free-kick, but an offside flag was raised.

Both sides had some defending to do during the opening 20 minutes, but it was clear it was a game of patience for Grayson's men as his players looked to move the ball quickly and efficiently from one end to the other. One such attack saw Becchio denied by some good defending after Gradel escaped down the right.

It wasn't the most exciting of opening periods, and the atmosphere was surprisingly flat from the home support considering they were within touching distance of a trip to Wembley. But they were on their feet in the 33rd minute when Adam Clayton latched onto a deflected pass forward and he was able to race clear before tucking the ball beyond Ankergren. 

Moments earlier, Grayson had altered his system, pushing Gary McSheffrey into the front line to partner Becchio - Snodgrass dropped to the right, Max Gradel switched to the left - and the loan man almost had an immediate opportunity to level when he had a shot saved by Collin.

But it was Carlisle who carved out another decent opportunity when Clayton, seeing Ankergren off his line, lifted a shot over the top after some good build-up play. McSheffrey was next to fashion a half-chance, for Leeds, when he got in a good cross for Gradel.

Gradel almost returned the favour moments later, but the evergreen Graham Kavanagh was on hand to avert the danger. McSheffrey was also crowded out on the stroke of half-time after a good break forward.

United also started the second half on the front foot and after Gradel had a shot saved, Snodgrass capitalised on a defensive mistake to nip in to score with his head within 45 seconds of the re-start to give Leeds a lifeline in the tie.

At the other end, Shane Lowry got in a decisive block when Kevan Hurst dithered over pulling the trigger from a good position after a good cross-field ball.

The game had really opened up as it reached the hour-mark. Leeds were searching for a second goal and, as a result, Carlisle were also beginning to find space as they looked to push to put the tie beyond doubt. Ankergren saved one free-kick from Harte and Howson headed another set-piece clear.

On the attack, McSheffrey had a shout for a penalty, Gradel had a shot blocked, following good work by Snodgrass, and Micky Doyle had a shot saved by Collin.

With 24 minutes left on the clock, Grayson swapped his central midfielders to increase his attacking pool with Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson replacing Doyle and Howson.

Within minutes Johnson played a vital role as United thought Jason Crowe had levelled the tie on aggregate. Snodgrass delivered a great cross, Johnson headed back across goal from the far post and Crowe headed home. The celebrations were immediately muted, though, following an offside flag.

But moments later it was Carlisle who had the ball in the back of the net. Hurst capitalised on a slip by Michalik to pounce and deliver a great curling finish from just inside the box to make it 4-2 on aggregate to the home side.

Leeds responded immediately, both Gradel and McSheffrey driving balls into the box. Grayson also responded by throwing on Mike Grella to give him a full attacking complement and, almost immediately, it was defender Crowe who finished off a Leeds attack with a clinical strike to give United yet another lifeline.

It was an outstanding strike and with 10 minutes left on the clock Leeds needed another goal to send the tie to penalties.

That goal came with four minutes left on the clock. McSheffrey was the provider after good work by Lowry and Grella powered home to make it 3-2 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.

It was all set up for a dramatic finale and Leeds had some defending to do immediately after the goal, Michalik making one clearance before United had to deal with a Carlisle corner.

In the last minute, Grella had another effort saved, Gradel saw a free-kick clawed away, and Collin got down well to Johnson shot, but there were no further goals as the tie went to penalties.

Penalties
Harte (Carlisle) scored 1-0 Carlisle
Johnson (Leeds) missed 1-0 Carlisle
Hurst (Carlisle) scored 2-0 Carlisle
Snodgrass (Leeds) scored 2-1 Carlisle
Madine (Carlisle) scored 3-1 Carlisle
McSheffrey (Leeds) scored 3-2 Carlisle
Keogh (Carlisle) missed 3-2 Carlisle
Grella (Leeds) scored 3-3
Clayton (Carlisle) scored 4-3 Carlisle
Gradel (Leeds) scored 4-4
Sudden death...
Horwood (Carlisle) scored 5-4 Carlisle
Kilkenny (Leeds) scored 5-5
Robson (Carlisle) scored 6-5 Carlisle
Lowry (Leeds) missed 6-5 Carlisle