Young midfielder Jonny Howson broke Carlisle hearts with virtually the last kick of the game to snatch Leeds - docked 15 points at the start of the season - a thrilling 3-2 aggregate win in the second leg of their semi-final at Brunton Park. They now face Doncaster or Southend in the final.

Howson had hauled Leeds level early in the first half after McAllister's side started the second leg 2-1 down and went on to kill Carlisle off in stoppage time.

Leeds were penalised by Football League chiefs in August for breaking competition rules on insolvency and lost their appeal to get the sanction overturned last month.

But the fallen giants are now 90 minutes from a return to the second tier of English football, two years after letting down their fans at the Millennium Stadium against Watford in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final.

McAllister said: "I know what 40,000 of them sound like. I've been in front of them before and tonight again they were fantastic and the Leeds fans know that.

"That was for them. The players would be first to admit that. It was a bit of a damp squib on Monday night at Elland Road, but I think the fans got the reaction they wanted.

"I'm very proud of the players and pleased for the players.

"Everything that's been put in front of them they've dealt with and I've not heard one murmur of complaint.

"We move on again. Slightly closer to the Championship. I don't want to be a killjoy, but nothing's been achieved yet.

"We've still got to go and try and win a game at Wembley."


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