Carlisle hit top form to leave Leeds trailing

First Danny Graham, who started one game for Leeds on loan from Middlesbrough, deflected the opening goal in with his backside after 31 minutes.

Then Marc Bridge-Wilkinson silenced the home crowd by steering in a second goal to make Carlisle favourites to reach the League One final at Wembley.

Leeds, who hit back with a late goal from Dougie Freedman in the sixth minute of added time, are also likely to face an FA inquiry after a coin, hurled from the crowd at celebrating players, was handed to referee Tony Bates by Carlisle's Grant Smith.

Carlisle arrived at Elland Road on the back of an horrendous run of just one win in the last eight matches, a sequence that cost the Cumbrians the second automatic place which had looked theirs for the taking.

But experienced manager John Ward was tackling his third play-off campaign, he was successful with Cheltenham though not with Bristol City or Bristol Rovers, while Gary McAllister was stepping into unknown territory.

However, the Leeds boss did have a 36,297 crowd, their second biggest home gate of the season, packing the stands to recreate the atmosphere of the glory days and European nights under former manager David O'Leary.

Five years ago, Leeds players were putting their feet up after victories over Arsenal and Aston Villa had eased them to 15th place in the top flight and completed Peter Reid's rescue campaign. It has been down hill every since.

Four managers and two relegations later, not to mention this season's contentious 15-point penalty, Leeds are battling to start the arduous journey back, via the play-off system that undid them in 1987 and 2006.

Carlisle started brightly and from Danny Graham's cross Marc Bridge-Wilkinson connected with a near-perfect volley that beat Casper Ankergren but cannoned off the outside of his left-hand post.

On-loan Leeds striker Freedman almost scored with his first chance, curling a fabulous shot that brought a flying save from Keiran Westwood to tip it round the post.

Chris Lumsdon had a point-blank header saved by Ankergren as Carlisle signalled their intent and striker Scott Dobie became the first man in Bates' book for a tackle that sent Lubonir Michalik tumbling beyond the touchline.

Leeds top scorer, Jermaine Beckford, back from injury, forced another save from Westwood but Carlisle took the lead after 31 minutes when Simon Hackney volleyed from the corner of the box and the ball defleced in off team-mate Graham.

Leeds appealed in vain for a penalty when Jonathan Douglas went down in the area. A minute later the skipper shot straight at Westwood as Leeds did their best to pull themselves level.

But Westwood denied Beckford yet again coming up to the break and Carlisle still looked dangerous enough to snatch a second with Ankergren having to save bravely at Graham's feet.

Leeds began the second half in tentative mood and their nervousness was justified after 50 minutes when Lumsdon and Evan Horwood combined down the left flank to set up a simple finish for Bridge-Wilkinson that had stewards moving to prevent fans behind the goal getting on to the pitch.