Last updated 10:29, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Carlisle moved a step closer to Wembley with a superb win at Elland Road - but Leeds kept the tie alive with an injury-time goal.

• Slideshow of Leeds game

The Cumbrians turned the formbook on its head and stunned the play-off favourites with goals in either half from Simon Hackney and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.

But a goal in the sixth-minute of stoppage time from Dougie Freedman leaves the semi-final perfectly poised ahead of Thursday's second leg at Brunton Park.

United defied the odds in an impressive first half display and after Simon Hackney won a corner with his persistence, he found the net with a volley which deflected off Danny Graham and wrongfooted home keeper Casper Ankergren.

Keiren Westwood made some inspired saves to deny Freedman and Jermaine Beckford, then Carlisle shocked the 36,000 home crowd with a second on 50 minutes.

Hackney and Evan Horwood linked well down the left and recalled Bridge-Wilkinson slid home the left-back's low cross.

United looked set to close out an invaluable two goal victory, but the Yorkshire side gave themselves a lifeline at the death when Paul Huntington floated in a dangerous ball which fell for Freedman, who buried the chance from close range.

Brunton Park is now likely to sell out on Thursday night for the crunch second leg.

Leeds: Ankergren, Richardson, Huntington, Michalik, B Johnson, Prutton, Howson, Douglas, Kilkenny, Beckford, Freedman. Subs: Lucas, Marques, Carole, Kandol, Hughes.

Carlisle: Westwood, Arnison, Livesey, Murphy, Horwood, Hackney, G Smith, Lumsdon, Bridge-Wilkinson, Dobie, Graham. Subs: Howarth, Thirlwell, Campion, Taylor, Madine.