Carlisle United are going to Wembley next Sunday after the most dramatic of play-off semi-final victories.
Their clash with Bradford City at Brunton Park went to extra time before the Blues won an enthralling game 3-1.
But Ben Barclay who rose to head the decisive third goal in the 22nd minutes of extra-time won’t be able to play in the final as he is on loan from opponents Stockport County.
Carlisle went into the tie a goal down from the first leg at Valley Parade but they levelled on 21 minutes when Brad Halliday put through his own net.
That proved to be the only goal that was scored in 90 minutes but it was more frantic and productive in the extra time period.
Bradford keeper Harry Lewis touched a shot onto the post to deny Carlisle a second and City were also unlucky when a shot from Scott Banks hit the post.
Carlisle took the lead in the tie eight minutes into extra-time when Callum Guy scored with a half volley that wasn’t sweetly struck but had enough on it to bounce past Lewis.
City hit back with a good finish by veteran substitute Matt Derbyshire and the prospect of a penalty shoot-out grew ever larger.
But a great leap by Barclay got him on the end of Owen Moxon’s cross and a powerful header sent United to Wembley.
It’s been a remarkable turn-around for manager Paul Simpson, who first of all saved his hometown club from relegation last season and has built on that to take them to Wembley and a play-off final.
Indeed it’s been a definite change in form at the right time as towards the end of the season they put together a run of two wins in 11 games which knocked them out of
The United fans have the chance to go back to Wembley for the first time since 2011 when the team won the Football League Trophy.
Afterwards Simpson said: ““We are not going to Wembley to make up the numbers. I had so much belief in the group we had enough to get over the line.
“They produced a performance to get us a result against a good side. I am sweating buckets because I feel like I have gone through the mill myself.”
