CARLISLE 0, UNITED 2 (Howson 10, 90)

Carlisle: Westwood, Raven, Livesey, Murphy, Horwood, Grant Smith, Lumsdon, Bridge-Wilkinson, Hackney, Dobie, Graham. Subs: Howarth, Thirlwell, Taylor, Madine, Arnison

United: Ankergren, Richardson, Michalik, Huntington, Johnson, Kilkenny, Howson, Douglas, Prutton, Freedman, Beckford. Subs: Lucas, Marques, Carole, Kandol, Hughes.

Referee: A Wiley

Bookings:

Att: 12,873 (1600 Leeds)

You can hear live commentary on LUTV...

Gary McAllister was able to name an unchanged side for the do-or-die Play-Off semi-final second leg clash with Carlise, after striker Jermaine Beckford passed a late fitness test.

United headed for Brunton Park looking to overhaul a 2-1 deficit from the Elland Road first leg just 72 hours earlier, knowing that victory could secure a place in the League One Play-Off final at Wembley on Sunday week.

With away goals not counting double, a one-goal advantage for United would be enough to send the game into extra time and possible penalties. A two-goal advantage would be enough to guarantee progression.

And it was United who threatened first in the contest when Dougie Freedman found space to feed Beckford, but the striker was unable to get in a shot on goal.

Carlisle's Grant Smith did manage a shot when he found space on the edge of the box in the sixth minute, but he screwed his effort wide.

But it was United who levelled the tie after just 10 minutes. Freedman was the provider with a low cross from the left and Jonny Howson delivered a good finish to make it 1-0 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate.

The goal, scored in front of the away fans, sent the 1600 travelling Whites into ecstasy, and silenced the home support.

Moments later, United had another opportunity. Bradley Johnson returned a Beckford cross-field pass with a delightful cross, but the United striker couldn't make proper contact with his header and the ball went wide.

The goal clearly gave United a lift while Carlisle were knocked off their early stride. Leeds were looking strong in midfield and Neil Kilkenny tested Keiren Westwood after some good build-up play.

On 21 minutes Beckford had a shot deflected wide as :Leeds pressed again, but a quick Carlisle break after they cleared the resultant corner gave United a reminder about the home side's ability to counter quickly.

The game was played at a fast pace with neither side shirking a challenge, and the entertainment was good. Both sides pushed and probed and both showed the occasional signs of nerves when in possession.

United carved Carlisle open on 33 minutes when Kilkenny threaded a ball through to Beckford, but as the away support drew a collective breath in the hope of sucking the ball in, the striker was denied by an offside flag.

Carlisle goalkeeper Westwood had a superb game at Elland Road in the first leg, and he made another terrific save on 38 minutes to deny Freedman after an error by defender Evan Horwood.

The home side responded with a cross that was allowed to drift across the face of goal and a shot from Scott Dobie which was off target. And, on the stroke of half-time, Casper Ankergren made his first save of the game - a terrific one at that - when he spread himself well to deny Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.

Carlisle goalkeeper Westwood was called inot action first in the second period, though. He saved from Freedman after Bridge-Wilkinson presented him with an opportunity to shoot. Beckford also tried his luck with an effort from distance on 49 minutes.

The home had their first opportunity of the second half on 51 minutes when Danny Graham headed straight into the arms of Ankergren.

Both sides continued to press and the work-rate on show was excellent as the game ticked past the hour-mark. United did have some defending to do - Frazer Richardson was excellent in snuffing out the threat of Simon Hackney - and Lubo Michalik made a good block to deny Bridge-Wilkinson.

Some good football by United caused Carlisle problems at the back and had them on the back foot, but it was the home side who had the next shot on goal when Bridge-Wilkinson put one wide in the 74th minute.

Moments later, it was Freedman who tried his luck and Westwood had to get down well to push his shot around the post. That prompted a flurry of corners and from the third, Bradley Johnson headed against an upright.

After a flurry of Carlisle pressure Jonathan Douglas, who was doing such a tremendous job snuffing out Bridge-Wilkinson, was next to go close when he had a shot deflected for a corner as United sought a second goal.

As the game headed towards extra time Carlisle pressed, but Leeds weathered the flurry and retaliated with a great spell that culminated in Johnson firing wide.

But, with one minute left on the clock it happened. Leeds mounted up one final attack in the first minute of time added on and when the ball broke to Howson, the youngster showed tremendous coollness to finish from the edge of the box.

Howson's goal proved enough to settle the tie and capped off yet another superb away performance. The final whistle blew moments later and after savouring the moment with the away fans the players returned when the ground was cleared for more celebrations with the fans.

It was a memorable night and United wil now face Southend or Doncaster in the final on Sunday week.