Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2): Ben Barclay's extra-time winner sends United to League Two play-off final

Report and highlights from the Sky Bet League Two play-off semi-final second leg between Carlisle and Bradford at Brunton Park; Carlisle will play Stockport County at Wembley

Thursday 25 May 2023 13:47, UK

Carlisle United will face Stockport County in the Sky Bet League Two play-off final at Wembley after Ben Barclay's dramatic extra-time winner earned a 3-1 semi-final victory over Bradford which saw them progress with a 3-2 aggregate win.

Bradford travelled to Brunton Park with a slender 1-0 advantage from Sunday's first leg, but it was erased midway through the first half when Brad Halliday put into his own goal amid a spell of relentless Carlisle pressure.

Both sides readily exchanged attacks but, with neither able to land a telling blow in normal time for the second successive League Two play-off semi-final, an additional 30 minutes were required.

Callum Guy looked to have sent Carlisle to Wembley when he volleyed home in the first period of extra-time but Matt Derbyshire hauled Bradford level within 29 seconds of the restart as the drama continued to unfold at a spellbound Brunton Park.

With penalties looming, on-loan striker Barclay glanced home the winner to set up a play-off final reunion on May 28 against his parent-club Stockport, which he will miss due to ineligibility, as Carlisle sealed a first Wembley appearance since 2011, when they beat Brentford to win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.

How Carlisle booked their ticket to Wembley

Carlisle had dominated the opening half, energised by striker JK Gordon's return after a three-game retrospective ban. Only three minutes had elapsed when Gordon cut in from the home left and fired in a low shot Lewis comfortably saved.

Carlisle's second half of the season fadeout in front of goal cost them a possible automatic promotion place. Gordon was fired up to make up for lost opportunities and only Lewis' right glove and then the upright prevented Gordon scoring his first goal since January 28 after 16 minutes.

The breakthrough eventually came six minutes later. Lewis produced a superb save to deny star midfielder Moxon but could not hold the shot with Gordon and Halliday converging on the rebound. Gordon wheeled away in celebration as the ball went in though the Bradford defender was credited with getting an unwanted final touch.

Scoring chances were in shorter supply after the break and the stalemate remained through to the final whistle, including nine minutes of stoppage time.

But extra time erupted with action, with Guy striking only for Derbyshire leave penalties on the cards, before Barclay brought his Carlisle loan to a fitting end as his 112th-minute winner sent the Blues to Wembley.

Simpson: Nobody gave us a chance - what a day

Carlisle's Paul Simpson:

"I'm just proud of the players. They've been magnificent over the whole season. Nobody gave us a chance this season, nobody fancied us at all. There's been a confidence in there, a belief, and we knew today, even though we were 1-0 down, we knew it was there for us. We knew we had a great opportunity. The two games have been an absolutely brilliant example of what League Two football is about.

"Credit to Bradford City. The first game, they played really well in the first half. Today, I think we've shown we're a good side, that we've got good individuals, we've got belief, we've got character and personality. Wow. What a day that has been for us. It's the longest 120 minutes I've ever gone through, but I'm delighted. I'm sweating buckets - I feel as though I've done the game myself!"

Hughes: We'll pick the players up and go again

Bradford's Mark Hughes:

"My major reflections are that they were poor goals to concede. I thought we'd got back on track and it looked like it was just going to peter out to penalties and you take your chances at that point, but we just switched off. There were a couple of moments where we didn't make the right decision and it cost us dearly.

"But credit to the lads, fantastic effort. Not only this afternoon, but the whole season. It's fantastic the amount of progress they've made. Each and every one of them has put in a real shift in for us and they are hurting at the moment, as you would imagine, but we'll pick them all up and we'll go again. It's unfortunate how it ended for us, clearly, but congratulations to Carlisle. They stuck at it and it'll be a good match-up in the final."

Analysis: 'The two best teams have got to the final'

Stevenage's Steve Evans on Sky Sports Football:

"Having watched both semi-finals, over the two legs, I think the best two teams have gone through. Carlisle were better today and Stockport were better earlier today. But forget who wins the play-off final, it makes League Two next season tremendously tough. Bradford are a huge club and Salford are there, too."

Leyton Orient's Richie Wellens on Sky Sports Football:

"Ben Barclay will be pleased he scored the winner, but he'll be absolutely gutted he can't play at Wembley. There was a huge crowd at both games today, so I imagine it will be a really special occasion. It will be bittersweet."

What's next?

While Bradford will remain in Sky Bet League One for the 2023/24 campaign, Carlisle will play Stockport in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium at 1.30pm on Sunday May 28 for a place in Sky Bet League One.