The arbitration verdict that McAllister had anticipated was forthcoming on Thursday when a three-man tribunal panel ruled that the Football League were justified in deducting 15 points from Leeds at the start of the season.

McAllister claimed repeatedly that he expected the tribunal to uphold the penalty and send Leeds into the League One play-offs, and he was set to discover his club's opposition in the semi-finals after the last day of league fixtures this afternoon.

United took a sequence of five victories from six games into today's clash with Gillingham at Elland Road, a record matched only by Nottingham Forest among the clubs who could find themselves in the play-offs this month. McAllister said: "It's not a case of me playing it all down but it's what I expected.

"At no stage did I feel that they could give us 15 points back at this stage of the season. The deduction stands and we group together and go again.

"I know the importance of siege mentality – everyone hates us and we don't care. I don't think anyone gave Leeds a chance of getting out of this league with a 15-point deduction.

"But I look at it from a different viewpoint. I don't want people to feel sorry for us or think that we've bonded together because of the deduction.

"We've bonded together because we're in form and the spirit's high."
Leeds have confirmed that the first leg of their play-off semi-final will played at Elland Road on Monday, May 12.

The second leg will be staged on Thursday, May 15 if Leeds finish fifth or draw Nottingham Forest, or on Friday, May 16 if Leeds finish sixth or play either Carlisle United or Doncaster Rovers.

All of the potential semi-final dates will kick off at 7.45pm.