Ex-City boss on the attack at Leeds

9:00am Monday 12th May 2008

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Carlisle manager John Ward has warned Leeds United his side will not be going to Elland Road to defend in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final tonight (7.45pm).

The Cumbrians must pick themselves up after throwing away a golden opportunity to win automatic promotion in the final weeks of the season.

A month ago Ward's men were second and looked a decent bet to avoid the play-off lottery, but a dismal run of just two points from their last five games condemned them to fourth place.

However, Ward, the former York City boss, has vowed to attack Gary McAllister's side in front of an expected capacity crowd at Elland Road as Carlisle seek to return to the second tier for the first time since 1986.

"There has been nine goals between ourselves and Leeds already this season," said Ward. "We beat them 3-1 at Brunton Park and they beat us 3-2 at Elland Road. I'm not suggesting there is going to be that many goals over the two legs, but we'll be going all out to win. It would be folly of me or Leeds to say let's be careful' when the players are thinking we can go and win this'.

"I think they will be very open games and you've got to focus on your own attacking prowess. We can't go to Leeds for 90 minutes and hope they don't score. We'll push forward and see if we can find a goal."

The game looks set to be a sell-out after a crowd of more than 38,000 watched Leeds' final league game of the campaign against Gillingham.

But Ward insists Carlisle will not be overawed. He said: "We've very much got the picture of Elland Road, so everything will be reasonably familiar to us. It was practically full when we went there last month and scored two goals against them, so we know we're capable of doing that."