Carlisle's Marc Bridge-Wilkinson is confident his side can reach the League One play-off final ahead of the semi-final second leg with Leeds.Bridge-Wilkinson refuses to accept Leeds tipped the balance back in their favour with a stoppage-time goal in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final.

Inspired by the midfielder and unfazed by a sold-out Elland Road crowd, Carlisle ripped up the formbook to open up a deserved two-goal advantage going into stoppage time.

Danny Graham and Bridge-Wilkinson had edged the Cumbrians closer to Wembley with goals in each half, but Leeds snatched a lifeline when Dougie Freedman forced the ball home from close range in the 96th minute.

Carlisle fans were furious referee Tony Bates had not already blown for full-time after his assistant had earlier indicated four minutes of time added on.

Leeds manager Gary McAllister felt Freedman's late strike had given the two-legged tie a totally different complexion, but Carlisle looked the classier act and will still start the second leg at Brunton Park as clear favourites.

Bridge-Wilkinson said: "Before the game we would have taken 2-1, no problem. Everyone in their right mind would have taken that.

"It's disappointing to concede a goal so late on in the game, but maybe it will give us that little kick up the bum that we need to go into Thursday and really strive to finish the job.

"We'll look at it in a positive manner. You never want to concede, but it might not do us any harm because it reminded us we can't afford to be complacent.

"We're really looking forward to Thursday because that performance can only fill us with confidence."

Carlisle's form had been lamentable going into the first leg and in stark contrast to Leeds, who had won six of their last seven league matches.

John Ward's side had looked a good bet for automatic promotion until the end of March, but one win in their last eight saw Carlisle slide to fourth.

Bridge-Wilkinson, whose previous clubs include Port Vale, Stockport and Bradford, added: "We've played really well here and it's such a good feeling after our recent run of poor form over the last four or five games.

"We're really pleased and we know what we need to do. We believe we can get to Wembley.

"We weren't daunted at all by the crowd. As footballers you want to play in front of as many people as you can.

"Everybody strives to play at Old Trafford in front of 75,000 whatever it may be and obviously in our league we can't do that, but Leeds is the next best thing.

"It's a great occasion for us all really and we are so pleased to have got a result to be proud of."

McAllister conceded Leeds had not been at their best, but insisted the tie was finely balanced.

He said: "Our final delivery, our final throughball just lacked that wee bit of quality.

"We rushed our decision-making and overhit the pass. It just wasn't quite there.

"But now it's 'game on' and I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be exciting up there."

Asked if Freedman's last-gasp strike had given Leeds a psychological edge, McAllister added: "I think it's got to yes. The Carlisle players would be happier taking us back up there with a two-goal lead."

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