BY JON COLMAN

Last updated at 19:10, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

CARLISLE UNITED are on the brink of a dream Wembley date – thanks to striker Danny Graham’s backside!

Over the Blues moon: Chris Lumsdon and Danny Graham celebrate the opener. Picture Johnny Becker

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.

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.

First published at 11:39, Tuesday, 13 May 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk