Summary

  • Carlisle to face Stockport in Wembley final on 28 May

  • FT: Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (agg 3-2) - Cumbrians through in extra time

  • Halliday og, Guy & Barclay goals send Carlisle to final

  • Score was 1-0 after 90 mins, Derbyshire goal not enough for Bradford

  • FT: Stockport County 2-1 Salford City (agg 2-2) - Stockport win 3-1 on penalties

  • Mallan levels to give Salford aggregate lead but Stretton header for Stockport forces penalties

  • Stockport's Hinchliffe saves two penalties and Sarcevic slams in winning spot-kick

  1. London calling...published at 18:05 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    Carlisle UnitedImage source, Rex Features

    What a way to sign off from the EFL play-off semi-finals.

    We've had absolutely everything across the 12 games and now the EFL season comes down to three finals at Wembley.

    We'll have loads of build-up to the finals on-site over the coming week and of course you'll be able to join us for live text commentary of all three matches.

    Thanks for your company today.

    Cheers.

  2. The finals are setpublished at 18:02 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    Championship play-off final

    Coventry v Luton (16:45 BST - Saturday, 27 May)

    League Two play-off final

    Carlisle v Stockport (13:30 BST - Sunday, 28 May)

    League One play-off final

    Barnsley v Sheff Wed (15:00 BST - Monday, 29 May)

  3. Postpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    FT: Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    The commentary teams on both BBC Radio Cumbria and BBC Radio Leeds are getting emotional on air after that extra-time classic.

    That's what football - and specifically the EFL play-offs - does to you, even professional broadcasters.

    It makes you feel every emotion possible.

  4. 'What a way to sign off for Barclay'published at 17:58 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    FT: Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Chris Lumsdon
    Former Carlisle midfielder on BBC Radio Cumbria

    Not being able to play in the final will be disappointing for Ben Barclay, but what a way to sign off.

    It was centre-forward instincts from him to score the winner.

    We can push the button on those hotels now, let's get them booked!

  5. 'Wembley will be a great occasion'published at 17:56 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    FT: Stockport 2-1 Salford (agg 2-2) - Stockport win 3-1 on penalties

    Dave Challinor poses with fansImage source, PA Media

    Stockport manager Dave Challinor has urged his player to take "one more big step" towards promotion after they pulled off a penalty shootout win against Salford to reach the Wembley play-off final.

    "That game had everything, but nothing surprises me in football," he said.

    “It was an occasion full of emotion, and I’m so delighted for the players that we’ve made it to Wembley.

    “It’s a great way to win and a horrible way to lose, but we’ve made it and I want the players and everyone involved with the club to go and enjoy next weekend.

    “It’s going to be a great occasion – Wembley really is a special place to play football.

    “Only a small proportion of footballers get the chance to play there, so this means everything.

    “We’ve taken a big, big step today, but we’ve got one more big step to take if we are to achieve our ambition.

    “I thought the players kept their nerve really well today.

    “It’s not been easy as Salford are a great team, but this is a brilliant achievement for the whole club so it’s about preparing properly for next weekend now.”

  6. 'It was relentless'published at 17:53 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    FT: Stockport 2-1 Salford (agg 2-2) - Stockport win 3-1 on penalties

    Neil WoodImage source, PA Media

    Salford boss Neil Wood said falling short of the Wembley play-off final after losing to Stockport in a penalty shootout was "hard to take".

    "It was a really tough game, but credit to Stockport, they put a lot of pressure on us," he said.

    “It was relentless at times, and it is difficult to defend against.

    “We created enough chances I thought, but maybe we needed a bit more composure in certain situations.

    “It’s hugely disappointing of course, but at the end of the day it just wasn’t to be.

    “I can’t fault any of the players. Every single one of the lads gave it absolutely everything, right up until the dying seconds.

    “We’ve practised penalties this last fortnight, but you just can’t prepare for the crowd and the hostile atmosphere that the lads taking the penalties were up against.

    “It’s hard to take, but I think as a club we’ve made massive progress again this season.

    “This club is still growing so we’ve just got to go again next season.”

  7. Postpublished at 17:52 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    FT: Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Right, let's quickly reflect on what happened in the first League Two play-off semi-final second leg today...

  8. Postpublished at 17:51 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    FT: Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    This result means that not one of the teams who took a lead into the second leg of the play-offs will be at Wembley.

    Sunderland, Peterborough, Salford and Bradford all surrendered first leg leads.

    Of the 12 play-off semi-finals, only one was won by an away side - Coventry's 1-0 success at Middlesbrough.

  9. 'Heartbreaking for Bradford'published at 17:51 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    FT: Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Andy Kiwomya
    Ex-Bradford forward and head of performance on BBC Radio Leeds

    That's what's difficult - you've given everything but it's not enough.

    To concede that goal after dragging yourself back into the game is heartbreaking.

  10. 'What a performance'published at 17:49 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    FT: Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Chris Lumsdon
    Former Carlisle midfielder on BBC Radio Cumbria

    You can't do anything about the fans running on, but the players - what a performance.

    They thoroughly deserved it - they played under pressure and the anxiety of the supporters.

    I can't speak highly enough of them.

  11. FULL-TIMEpublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Carlisle win

    Carlisle have done it!

    The Cumbrians will play Stockport in the League Two play-off final on Sunday, 28 May.

    This tie came to life in extra time.

    Callum Guy fired home to put the home side in front on aggregate for the first time in the first half of extra time but seconds into the second half Matt Derbyshire levelled matters up once more.

    With penalties beckoning Ben Barclay, on loan from the Hatters, headed home the winner from Owen Moxon's cross.

  12. Postpublished at 120+5 mins

    Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    There's some home fans on the pitch.

    There's still a few seconds to go.

    Carlisle players are begging the fans to go back.

    Cumbrians boss Paul Simpson looks furious.

  13. Postpublished at 120+3 mins

    Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    The set-piece came to nought.

    Andy Cook pushes Carlisle defender Paul Huntington to the ground.

    That is going to be that.

  14. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 120+2 mins

    Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Carlisle midfielder Corey Whelan is off.

    Bradford goalkeeper Harry Lewis is up for a set piece.

  15. Postpublished at 120+1 min

    Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Time is running out now for Bradford to force penalties.

    Ben Barclay's goal looks like it is going to be the difference.

  16. INJURY TIME EXTRA TIMEpublished at 120 mins

    Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Matt Derbyshire looks to get a cross in for the away side but it is overhit.

    Three minutes added on at the end of this epic encounter.

  17. Postpublished at 119 mins

    Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Carlisle have the ball. They just need to see out two more minutes or so.

  18. Postpublished at 17:37 British Summer Time 20 May 2023

    Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Andy Kiwomya
    Ex-Bradford forward and head of performance on BBC Radio Leeds

    This is the game now, the final moments.

    Have you got something left?

    You don't want to be in the dressing room hearing them chant 'we're on our way to Wembley'.

  19. Postpublished at 118 mins

    Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    About three minutes, plus anything that might get added on, to go.

  20. Postpublished at 116 mins

    Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Agg 3-2)

    Carlisle scoreImage source, Rex Features

    Ben Barcay's goal looks to be sending Carlisle to Wembley, but he won't be playing if they do make it.

    He's on loan from Stockport, the other team in the League Two play-off final.