By Jon Colman

Last updated 12:00, Wednesday, 07 May 2008

Former Carlisle United boss Neil McDonald insists he’s not out for revenge against the club that sacked him in next week’s League One play-off clash.

The fates have thrown McDonald, now first-team coach at Elland Road, and Carlisle back together in the semi-finals.

The second leg at Brunton Park will see the Geordie back at Brunton Park for the first time since he was dramatically axed on the third day of the season.

But the 42-year-old denies he would take any extra satisfaction from helping to end a Carlisle promotion bid he was hoping to inspire nine months ago.

“If we beat Carlisle over two legs then I’ll be delighted,” said McDonald. “It would be very pleasing for me personally, but the semi-final isn’t about revenge or anything like that.

“It’s about pushing Leeds United over the finishing line, whoever’s in our way.”

McDonald says he is still perplexed by United owner Fred Story’s decision to fire him last August. “It was simply down to one man making a decision – a decision I didn't agree with,” he said.

“I never thought I’d get sacked for doing things right. I don’t believe I deserved that and I haven’t been back to the club since.”

The former Blues chief has warned Leeds not to take Carlisle for granted despite their recent stumbling form.

“Their results would suggest that they're struggling a touch at the moment” he said. “But I wouldn’t read too much into that. There’s nothing like a semi-final or a final to pick you up again.

“We’ve already beaten them at Elland Road but they’ve got an excellent home record. And every manager and player will tell you that Brunton Park is a difficult place to win.

“For one thing, it’s a long journey for most teams to get there. And the atmosphere inside the ground is tight and intimidating. The club’s home form is obviously one of their main strengths.

“I fancied them to do well because the pre-season I had with them was good and our plans were in place.

“What I didn’t expect was to be called in on the Monday morning after a 1-1 draw at Walsall and told I was being sacked.”