Gary McAllister insisted he was still proud of his players for defying the odds after they were beaten 1-0 by Doncaster in the play-off final.James Hayter's header early in the second half proved enough for Rovers and broke Leeds' hearts as McAllister's side slumped to their second play-off final defeat in as many years, having lost 3-0 to Watford in the Championship play-off final in 2006.

The 43-year-old former Leeds and Scotland midfielder said: "It goes without saying how disappointed we are.

"But what I'm trying to impress on the guys in the dressing room is that myself and the coaching staff are very proud of them.

"Each individual should be proud of what they have done. To start the campaign with such a hefty handicap and get right to the final play-off match, they deserve to be applauded.

"It's simple. That group of players won 27 games, gained 91 points and barring the handicap would have been promoted."

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