Manager Greg Abbott made just one change to the starting line up from Saturday bringing striker Scott Dobie in for the ineligible Darryl Duffy.

Keeper Adam Collin kept his starting place with a very attack minded bench comprising of Offiong and Madine on standby. Joe Anyinsah missed out as he reported in with a stomach bug ahead of the team meeting.

The first attack came with just 59 seconds on the clock when Robson and Clayton combined to release Horwood inside the area. He crossed it low towards the back post and Ankergren had to save with his legs as it crept towards his bottom corner.

Another great cross from Robson had Ankergren stretching but he did enough to spoon it away as Clayton raced in.

A great free kick from Harte found Livesey on the edge of the area and he couldn't keep his header down and it flew over the bar.

Leeds threatened the Carlisle goal on 9 minutes with a quick break that saw Snodgrass control it nicely 19 yards out. He fed it inside to Becchio but he couldn't get it on target and it whipped past the upright.

Neither side gave much away in midfield for a long period with possession surrendered at crucial moments, but Kavanagh brought a punch out of Ankergren when he whipped another free kick into the box. The Cumbrians then had to defend when Gradel nicked it past Horwood and Livesey stood strong to force the foul from Becchio.

The game exploded into life for United on 33 minutes when Scott Dobie battled for a high ball over the top. He went to ground, but Referee Andy Hall played a good advantage that allowed Adam Clayton to carry it into the area. He drew the keeper and found the bottom corner with a very cool finish to give his side a two goal advantage.

McSheffrey wasted a good chance to get his side back into the tie two minutes later when a Gradel effort was blocked. It sat up in front of the Leeds new boy but he shot early and put it right at Collin.

Graham Kavanagh picked out Adam Clayton as United kept pushing forward and he opted to try the chip and he sent it over the bar. That was it for the first half with the tie still finely balanced.

Half Time: United 1 - 0 Leeds

Disaster struck for United within seconds of the restart when ineffective defending allowed Leeds to press forward. Collin saved a stinging effort from Snodgrass but United couldn't clear it and it eventually fell to the same player to pop it over the keeper and into the back of the net.

It became frantic after the goal but United did get forward to good effect on 54 minutes when Dobie found Kavanagh. He spread it to Hurst but the Carlisle winger took a touch instead of hitting it first time.

Adam Clayton let one go from long range on 57 minutes following a spell of possession from the Blues but Ankergren watched it all the way.

An Ian Harte free kick fell at a nice height for the keeper as United stayed in the Leeds half and the Cumbrians spurned two more set piece opportunities, and Leeds nearly capitalised by springing forward and applying the pressure. The shot, when it came, was easy for Collin.

It was a heart in the mouth moment on 69 minutes when the Whites carved United open with a deep cross to the back stick. It was nodded back across the goal but the flag went up for offside just as the ball hit the back of the net.

The nerves were settled a bit more for Carlisle on 72 minutes when Kavanagh played a one-two with Keogh inside the United half. Keogh clipped it forward for Hurst and his initial touch bounced back off Naylor. The Carlisle winger dropped his shoulder with his back to goal and spun before picking his spot with a wonderful finish.

McSheffrey blazed a low ball across the box on 76 minutes that eluded everyone, and that was a prelude to another shaky moment when Crowe stole a yard and finished from close range to make it 4-3 on aggregate and to make the final ten minutes a worrying prospect.

Hurst did well on 82 minutes tight by the corner flag and he sent it across towards Madine. He stepped over it but there was noone there to apply the finishing touch.

Substitute Mike Grella levelled the aggregate scores with just 4 minutes left to play when Carlisle were caught short at the back. It was a near post header that left Collin with no chance.

Collin had to save from Grella again moments later, and a good punch from the Carlisle stopper prevented a Gradel free kick from reaching Snodgrass. Collin was involved again with seconds left to go when he pushed a wicked McSheffrey shot away as it scuffed up in front of him.

Full Time: United 2 - 3 Leeds (4 - 4 agg)

Penalties:

Harte - firm finish (1-0)

Johnson - save Collin (1-0)

Hurst - bottom corner (2-0)

Snodgrass - good finish (2-1)

Madine - no mistake (3-1)

McSheffrey - scuffs it but it goes in (3-2)

Keogh - blasts it high and over (3-2)

Grella - very calm finish (3-3)

Clayton - another good pen (4-3)

Gradel - finds the roof of the net (4-4)

Sudden death

Horwood - wonderful shot (5-4)

Kilkenny - sends keeper wrong way (5-5)

Robson - Crisp and in the corner (6-5)

Lowry - Another great save (6-5)

United go through on pens!

Goals

United - Clayton (33), Hurst (72)

Leeds - Snodgrass (46), Crowe (80), Grella (86)

Bookings

United - Keogh (52), Clayton (79)

Leeds - Crowe (45), Howson (50), Gradel (64)

Teams

United - Collin, Keogh, Livesey, Harte, Horwood, Hurst, Kavanagh (Taiwo 73), Thirlwell, Clayton, Robson, Dobie (Madine 79). Subs - Pidgeley, Murphy, Offiong.

Leeds - Ankergren, Crowe, Doyle (Johnson 66), Naylor (Grella 79), Becchio, Howson (Kilkenny 66), McSheffrey, Michalik, Lowry, Snodgrass, Gradel. Subs - Martin, Bromby.

Away fans - 1463