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Howson the hero as his double puts Leeds into League One play-off final
Last updated at 21:56pm on 16.05.08Jonathan Howson was 12 when Leeds prepared for the Champions League semi-final in 2001. On Thursday night, he breathed life into their more modest dream of returning to the second tier of English football.
The 19-year-old Leeds-born midfielder shot his side ahead on the night after just 10 minutes of the second leg of their League One play-off clash at Brunton Park. Then in added time he produced a second goal to win the tie on aggregate and put Leeds into the final at Wembley.
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That's Howson: Jonathan Howson celebrates his goal
Leeds scored what proved to be a crucial goal in the 96th minute of the first leg. Last night Howson struck a stunning winner with just 43 seconds of added time left.
Carlisle goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, who starred in the first leg at Elland Road, was inconsolable, lying in his goalmouth at the final whistle with his hands over his eyes. As one dream moves nearer to reality, another died.
Howson's goals have taken a fallen giant back to Wembley on Sunday week for the first time in 12 years — seven years this week since his home-town club headed to Valencia for the Champions League semi-final.
Few among the 1,600 travelling Leeds supporters celebrated the late drama like manager Gary McAllister, who led his team back on to the pitch for a victory bow. In his three-and-a-half months in charge at Elland Road, the Scot has helped his side find form and resilience in equal measure at the perfect time.
He said: "The players have put up with all sorts since day one. They dealt with 15 points being taken off, with Gus Poyet leaving, with Dennis Wise leaving and a new management team coming in.
"They were brave tonight and it was a wonderful result. I am very proud of them and very pleased for them. The result was for the fans.
"We move on again, now slightly closer to the Championship, but we have achieved nothing yet."
Tempering enthusiasm is McAllister's next task but he has already stamped his mark on his team, a passing side evolving even in the bear pit of the play-offs.
Scoring early, after sneaking a lifeline through Dougie Freedman three days earlier, was key, deflating the partisan crowd. Howson was the goal's creator and finisher, bursting from the centre of midfield to play a neat one-two with Freedman on his left before sweeping his finish past Westwood.
It negated everything that Carlisle had fought so hard for in the opening leg. John Ward's side limped over the finishing line in the regular season, blowing an automatic promotion place, and they rarely looked like finding the energy after Howson's opener to take their campaign to a final game.
Instead, Freedman, 34, on loan from Crystal Palace, caused problems with his intelligence, while Howson's energy was not what weary opponents needed to see. Only Jermaine Beckford's profligacy kept the home side in the tie as he wasted headed opportunities and shot wide in either half.
Neil Kilkenny drove across the face of goal midway through the second half and Jonathan Douglas's goalbound shot was blocked desperately by Scott Dobie.
Only once was Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren truly called into action, in first-half added time, saving well with his feet to deny Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.
Still, extra-time was looming when, in the 91st minute, Howson sneaked a shot beyond Westwood's despairing left hand, and there was no way back for Carlisle.
Carlisle manager Ward said: "It's a small squad and that's got us to where we are and possibly cost us getting that bit further. But I am proud of them and I have been proud all season."
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