UNITED 2 (Johnson 69, Kandol 88), GILLINGHAM 1 (Jackson  20)

United: Ankergren, Gardner, Huntington, Michalik, Johnson, Prutton, Douglas (Delph 76), Hughes, Sweeney (Carole 60), Elding (Marques 90), Kandol. Subs: Lucas, Thompson.

Gillingham: Stillies, Bentley, Cullip (Griffiths 76), King, Southall, Crofts, Maher, Lewis (Oli 72), Nutter, Mulligan (Miller 55), Jackson. Subs: Kiely, Ba.

Referee: P Dowd

Bookings: Douglas (United), Mulligan (Gillingham)

Att: 38,256

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As promised, United manager Gary McAllister re-shuffled his pack with Scott Gardner making his first start since August, Tresor Kandol and Peter Sweeney returning, and Alan Thompson being named among the subs.

Gillingham had it all to play for, needinjg a result to stay in the division, while United were guaranteed a place of the Play-Offs, and the only issue to be decided was who McAllister's men will meet.

With over 38,000 in the stadium Elland Road was rocking in the warm sunshine and, despite the 15-point ruling going against the club in midweek, it was clear that the fans were in party mood.

United had some early defending to do as the visitors started in positive mood, but there looked to be little in the way of a serious threat during a chanceless opening 10 minutes.

Casper Ankergren came off his line well after 16 minutes to punch clear a Nicky Southall free-kick and four minutes later the Gills were rewarded for their early endeavour when Simeon Jackson twisted and turned to force himself an opening, and shot beyond the reach of the United goalkeeper.

Jackson's goal was vital to Gillingham's survival hopes and they continued to foray forward against a United side who had yet to step up and create a serious opportunity.

The visitors did make one clearance from an Anthony Elding cross and on 38 minutes Kandol headed a Gardner cross over the top. Elding also delivered a delightful finish to chip the keeper on 40 minutes - but the striker's effort was ruled out for offside.

And there was little else to excite the vast crowd as the game drifted towards half-time. Interval scores elsewhere were putting United on a collision course with Doncaster in the Play-Offs while Gillingham were stil destined for the drop with Cheltenham beating Doncaster.

Those positions, of course, could still change and it was Leeds, who could still overhaul Southend and finish fifth, who started the second half with more purpose than in the first.

On 50 minutes, Sweeney had a shot charged down and moments later Kandol headed a cross over the top. But, at the other end, Jackson raced clear down the left for Gillingham and shot over the top from a tight angle.

United, who introduced Seb Carole on the hour in place of Sweeney, were finally starting to threaten though and after Kandol saw another half-chance thwarted, a David Prutton effort was scrambled clear and Jonathan Douglas lifted a shot over the top.

But scores were level in the 69th minute thanks to a lovely goal. Substitute Carole supplied a terrific cross from the right and Bradley Johnson delivered a superb volleyed finish to leave Derek Stillies with no chance. 

It was a stunning strike, deservedly scored in front of the Football League's biggest crowd of the season, and the goal lifted the volume levels another notch inside the stadium.

Gillingham had to respond to stand any chance of survival and after Ankergren denied Andrew Crofts, substitute Dennis Oli was thwarted by the United goalkeeper.

With 14 minutes remaining, McAllister took the chance to hand teenager Delph his first senior run-out of the season when he replaced Douglas in the middle of the park.

United almost stole the lead on 85 minutes when a deflected shot from Elding looped over Stillies, but it also looped wide of the mark. Gillingham also pushed themselves, throwing everyone  forward in a desperate bid to snatch a win.

But it was United who went close again two minutes from time, following a break by Prutton. Andrew Hughes looked to square the ball for Elding, but it was scrambled clear.

Moments later, it was 2-1. Kandol latched onto a Hughes pass forward and, timing his run to perfection, the striker evaded the offside trap and converted with aplomb.

There was still time for one final moment of drama - in the second minute of stoppage time - when Southall somehow hit the inside of the post from just two yards out and the ball bounced back into the arms of Ankergren.

With that went any Gillingham hopes of survival while United ensured a winning end to the league campaign and a Play-Off semi-final clash against Carlisle United.