February 2010

A delighted Abbott said: “It’s a big achievement for us. We gave this competition full regard right from day one.

“It was a tough night and we could have made life a bit easier for ourselves but we have honesty and determination and that got us over the winning line in the end.

“There’s a real air of enthusiasm running through the club. It’s the proudest moment of my career and a great night for the club and one everyone should be proud of.”

The Cumbrians were in confident mood after taking a 2-1 lead into the second leg and they made the perfect start when Adam Clayton opened the scoring after 33 minutes.

Leeds came out firing on all cylinders at the start of the second half and were level within two minutes of the restart.

Collin produced a diving save to deny Max Gradel but Robert Snodgrass was on hand to nod the ball over the goalkeeper from close range following an error from Ian Harte.

The visitors were the better side for long periods in the second half but it was Carlisle who eased the pressure after 72 minutes when Kevan Hurst got the better of Lubomir Michalik and turned cleverly inside the area before hammering a shot past Casper Ankergren.

Simon Grayson’s men refused to give up and Jason Crowe lashed home to keep the tie in the balance before Mike Grella forced home Gary McSheffrey’s cross to take the game into the decisive shootout.

Grayson said: “It’s disappointing because we missed out on a day out at Wembley. From the first whistle until the last it was a fantastic effort.”

In the Southern Area final, Southampton recorded a 3-1 victory over MK Dons to reach their first Wembley final in 18 years.

Top scorer Rickie Lambert’s strike and an own goal from Dons defender Danny Woodards put the Saints in control before Mark Randall pulled a goal back to give hope to Paul Ince’s men.

But a late strike from Adam Lallana put the result beyond doubt and gave the Saints a resounding win in front of a capacity St Mary’s crowd.

Pardew, who lost a Wembley final while playing for Crystal Palace, has urged players and fans alike to revel in their success.

He said: “I thought the lads were colossal. The crowd were magnificent and I though we played some fantastic football.

“It is great news from the club that we are returning to Wembley. Everybody should enjoy this.”

Ince said: “It's gutting to go out of a competition at any time but to be dumped out so close to Wembley obviously makes it harder.

“But I can't fault the players. We were missing some big players and the lads who were out there did fantastically.”

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