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Howson the hero for Leeds
Carlisle United 0 Leeds United 2
Leeds win 4-3 on aggregate
JONNY Howson fired Leeds into
the Coca-Cola League One playoff
final at Wembley with a stunning
last-minute winner to break
Carlisle hearts at Brunton Park.
The young midfielder hauled
the Yorkshiremen back into the
tie early in the first period and
with the clock ticking down towards
extra-time arrowed the
winner into the bottom corner
from 15 yards.
Howson's double completed a
surprise turnaround for Gary
McAllister's side, who had been
outplayed in the first leg at Elland
Road to trail 2-1 on aggregate
ahead of tonight's return.
Most in a crowd of 12,872 were
expecting John Ward's side, playing
Conference football three
years ago, to finish the job.
But Leeds now head back for
their second play-off final in
three seasons and a chance to
erase the memory of their defeat
to Watford in 2006.
Leeds were on target at the end
of their first attack to level the tie
in the 10th minute.
Howson sent Dougie Freedman
scampering down the left
and raced into the area to latch
on to the on-loan Crystal Palace
striker's cross and fire home from
close range.
A neat interchange between
Neil Kilkenny and Jermaine
Beckford saw the former's volley
comfortably held by home goalkeeper
Keiren Westwood.
In contrast to the first leg at Elland
Road it was Leeds who had
settled quickest into their stride.
Evan Horwood almost gifted
Leeds a second 10 minutes before
the break when his weak back
pass was seized on by Freedman,
but the shot was snaffled by
Westwood.
At the other end Dobie miscued
his shot and it was clear
Carlisle had lost some of Monday
night's zip and accuracy.
But right at the end of the first
half, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
went close to firing the Cumbrians
ahead on aggregate when his
firm low drive was smothered by
Casper Ankergren.
Leeds then began to pen in
their hosts for long periods. Westwood
flung himself low to his
right to turn away Freedman's 25-
yard shot and Johnson's header
hit the post.
Leeds looked the more composed
as full-time beckoned and
Jonathan Douglas' deflected shot
arced over the bar as the tie
headed towards extra time.
Then with one minute of time
added on to play Howson
snatched victory.
The ball broke to the young
midfielder on the edge of the area
and the 20-year-old drilled a
slightly scuffed effort into Westwood's
bottom left-hand corner.
Carlisle: Westwood, Raven, Livesey, Murphy,
Horwood, Dobie, Lumsdon, Grant Smith, Bridge-
Wilkinson, Hackney, Graham. Subs (not used):
Howarth, Thirlwell, Arnison, Taylor, Madine.
Leeds: Ankergren, Richardson, Huntington,
Michalik, Johnson, Kilkenny, Howson, Douglas,
Prutton, Beckford, Freedman. Subs (not used):
Lucas, Marques, Carole, Kandol, Hughes.
9:32am Friday 16th May 2008
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