Last updated 11:36, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

CARLISLE UNITED are on the brink of a dream Wembley date – thanks to striker Danny Graham’s backside!
A sensational performance which saw off Leeds United in last night’s League One play-off semi-final first leg at Elland Road was sparked when midfielder Simon Hackney’s thunderbolt shot went in off Graham’s rear in the 32nd minute.
Lead
Carlisle dominated throughout and looked set for a big lead to take into Thursday’s second leg at Brunton Park when Marc Bridge-Wilkinson hit a second on 50 minutes.
Leeds got lucky breaks deep into injury time, though, first when substitute Andy Hughes incredibly escaped a red card for an X-rated challenge on Evan Horwood and then when they sneaked a goal on six minutes’ overtime when only four had been signalled.
Dougie Freedman’s freak strike gives sorry Leeds a fighting chance on Thursday, when it will be decided who goes forward to Wembley to meet either Southend or Doncaster in a play-off final with Coca-Cola Championship status at stake.