McAllister's players embarked on an all-or-nothing journey to Carlisle yesterday with every conceivable base covered, but their manager would prefer not to engage in any form of lottery tonight.

United jeopardised their route to the League One play-off final – and, in doing so, their plan to rejoin the Championship – with an uninspired contribution to Monday's semi-final first leg.

And McAllister's simple demand ahead of the return fixture this evening will be for a much-improved performance which leaves nothing to chance.

Without the invaluable goal scored by Dougie Freedman in the 96th minute at Elland Road on Monday, Carlisle would have had a potentially conclusive 2-0 lead to defend at Brunton Park tonight.

McAllister does not need reminding that United's season will crash to a cruel halt if they fail to muster a win in Cumbria this evening, but the sight of nine months of incomparable struggle ending in failure is not a conclusion he has given time to.

"I've not even thought about that," McAllister said. "We've got to look at positive things – look at winning, and look to go through."

The passage to Wembley is clearer now than it was with 94 minutes on the clock at Elland Road and Freedman's inspirational goal has re-balanced a game which was previously weighted ominously in Carlisle's favour.

It did not, however, mask a performance which McAllister himself found difficult to praise.

"We've got to improve right throughout the team, from one to 11," he said. "We have to hold our hands up and admit that we didn't play well.

"But you'll see a different Leeds side tonight. I'm absolutely sure that the quality, the composure and the way we approach the game will be different.

"Pressure does tell on occasions. Your decision-making can be out – also your touch and your choice of pass.

"It's a performance that surprised me, I've got to admit, but we've got that one out the way and go into the game tonight knowing what's at stake. And we're going to fight."

McAllister faces a dilemma at Brunton Park amid the pressure cooker of a game on which United's entire season rests.

Leeds cannot afford to be cautious while they trail by a one-goal margin, but as crucial a factor in the opening stages of the second leg will be their success in preventing a third concession.

United are still within touching distance of the play-off final to envisage their presence at Wembley on May 25, but it may take the finest and most composed performance of McAllister's reign to realise that achievement and leave Leeds one game from rebranding themselves as a Championship club.

"The fortunate thing is that it's half-time (in the tie) and we've got more than 45 minutes," McAllister said. "We've got 90 minutes to get the goal back and to win the game.

"It's not a case of being gung-ho, because there's plenty of time. It's a case of playing with our heads.

"The first goal's going to be very important and it won't be a problem for me if we go and score early, but we don't need to flood men forward.
"We've got to recognise situations and, when it's on, we'll commit men. We're brave enough to do that."

Bravery is not a commodity lacking in McAllister's dressing room.
His team emerged triumphant at Doncaster Rovers last month on a night when many expected the perceived gulf in class between the Yorkshire clubs to show, and away victories at Leyton Orient, Millwall and Yeovil Town followed at a stage of the season when United's involvement in the play-offs was not assured.


McAllister's surprise at the failure of his players to rise to Monday night's occasion at Elland Road is only as strong as his conviction that the real Leeds United will stand up at Brunton Park this evening.

If extra-time and penalties are required, his squad will not be caught short of preparation either.

On the subject of whether Leeds have concerned themselves with set-pieces from 12 yards, McAllister said: "Yes we have. They're looking not bad.

"But we're confident in the fact that we've gone on our travels recently having to win games under pressure in order to get us into the play-offs. Nothing changes – we go into this game and we've got to win.

"It has to be enjoyable. Life brings you loads of different pressures and this is good pressure – this is the pressure you want to be involved with and this is the sort of game you want to be involved in.

"Carlisle were better (in the first leg) and they've edged themselves in front, but they can be sure it's going to be a tough battle.

"We're going to fight, scrap and go right to the final minute.

"Many people saw us as favourites at Elland Road – Carlisle having a goal start will now be deemed favourites. So we go into the game as underdogs.

"They've got the expectation and the pressure of the home fans which we had the other night so the roles are reversed. We'll see how Carlisle cope."