Boss Gary McAllister hailed the Leeds United fans and players after Thursday's 2-0 win at Carlisle United secured a trip to Wembley for the League One Play-Off final.

Two goals from Jonny Howson earned United a 3-2 aggregate victory against the Cumbrians, and Leeds are now within 90 minutes of a Championship return.

"It's definitely up there with the best moments I've had," said the manager. "But it's not about me, it's the players. I've said that all along. They put up with all sorts from day one and just got on with it.

"They've never complained, and I'm very, very proud of them.

"And I know what these fans are about. They were fantastic again, and that was for them. Monday was a damp squib, but they got the reaction they deserved.

United were trailing 2-1 after Monday's first leg, but the manager had demanded a response from his players after describing their performance as "simply not good enough".

Macca got that with probably the most clinical performance of the season.

"I thought about making changes and could have made three or four," he explained. "But I gave the same 11 a go.

"I wanted a reaction and that's the sort of reaction any manager in the world would have liked.

"The ugly side was missing on Monday, but when we had opportunities to pass it we did and we moved it around well.

"They were brave, got a result and it went exactly to plan."

That plan came to fruition when local lad Howson scored the second goal in stoppage time - the 17th time this season United have scored a vital last-minute goal.

"He's been an ever present since I arrived," said the boss. 

"He's a young man of great potential. We keep feeding him information and we're trying not to stifle him. We want him to progress as a footballer.

"And he couldn't have picked a better time to score!"

Attentions now turn towards a Wembley final on Sunday May 25 against either Doncaster or Southend United.

"We move on again now," added the boss. "Yes, we're slightly closer to the Championship, and I don't want to be a killjoy, but nothing has been achieved as yet."

See more from Macca, match-winner Jonny Howson and Neil Kilkenny...