By Jon Colman

Last updated 10:23, Sunday, 18 May 2008

GRANT Smith believes Carlisle United’s promotion campaign was derailed by the deteriorating Brunton Park pitch – and says the Blues can mount a successful push on a better surface next time around.

Getting shirty: Leeds United's Neil Kilkenny, right, tussles with Grant Smith at Brunton Park on Thursday. ‘It’s not the groundsman’s fault, but the pitch is so bad,’ says Smith

United are spending £30,000 in a bid to prevent the problems which have dogged the pitch this season and Smith says that could be the best money the club splashes out this summer.

“We showed in the first leg on Monday what we can do on a really good pitch,” said Smith, who is expected to be offered a new deal by manager John Ward shortly.

“It’s not the groundsman’s fault, but the pitch is so bad here.

“If we can get the pitch right, and then get a couple of additions to the squad I think we can really challenge.”

Thursday’s dramatic defeat to Leeds was the second time Smith has suffered last-gasp play-off agony.

He was with Swindon when they were seconds away from the League One final in 2004 before Brighton scored an injury-time equaliser and then won on penalties.

“It’s the second time it’s happened to me and I’m just gutted,” said the 28-year-old.

“This one hurts the most. You look back to Monday and that injury-time goal and you have to ask whether the referee did his job right there.

“But there’s nothing we can do about it now. It’s frustrating because we have had some good chances, but hopefully we can learn from this and use it next year.”

Smith has featured regularly in John Ward’s midfield since joining on a short-term deal in January, and the much-travelled Irvine-born player is keen to establish himself at Brunton Park for much longer.

“I’ve had enough of moving around so hopefully I can get settled here,” he said. “I like it here, I like the gaffer and the club and hopefully I’ll be staying on.”

Smith added: “If somebody had told me back in January that I’d be involved in this kind of game at the end of the season, I’d have taken it all day long. But the way it’s happened is just so frustrating.

“It’s probably the worst way to go out, but the way Leeds scored on Monday and the way they’ve won this, it’s a good bet to put your money on them for the final. They’re destined to go up.

“Now it’s about how we respond. I’m a believer in fate and maybe we’ll get our reward next year – and it will be third time lucky for me.”

JColman@cngroup.co.uk