Sky Sports.com

Leeds boss Gary McAllister believes his side's play-off semi-final with Carlisle will go down to the wire after the 2-1 defeat at Elland Road.

Dougie Freedman gave Leeds hope for the second leg at Brunton Park with an injury-time strike to reduce the arrears.

Carlisle looked to be taking a two-goal first leg advantage back home with them for Thursday's second leg courtesy of goals from Danny Graham and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, but Freedman has left the tie still up for grabs.

"If we are to get through these ties and get to Wembley and maybe get out of this division it is going to be done the hard way," McAllister told Sky Sports 1.

"Exciting game, I thought their keeper was excellent, probably man of the match and we got done with a couple of counter-attacks.

"They played some good football, there is no doubt about that, they are a good side.

Impressed

"I was impressed by Carlisle tonight, but we just let ourselves down in the final third a wee bit as I thought we could tighten up in the final pass, but we made their keeper work and he responded.

"There wasn't a great deal in it in the first half. They did look dangerous on the counter-attack, but it is going to go right to the last minute of this game up at Carlisle there is no doubt in my mind about that."

Spirit

McAllister was also happy with the spirit shown by his side as they grabbed a late lifeline through Freedman.

"Of course [the goal is important] the team spirit in going right to the final whistle.

"We spoke about it before the game about it being 180 minutes not 90 minutes and we played right to the 96th minutes.

"We keep going, keep grinding away."