Carlisle win League Two play-off final after penalty victory | OneFootball

Carlisle booked their place in the third tier of English football next season after beating Stockport in the League Two play-off final.

Scorers: Patrick 85′; Mellish (OG) 34′

It was fourth versus fifth in the League Two play-off final as two of the North’s most storied clubs battled it out at Wembley.

Stockport had beaten Salford on penalties to get this fair whilst Carlisle had got the better of Bradford.

The opening 30 minutes were an incredibly tense affair with both sides having just one shot in half a hour of action.

But it was Stockport who took the lead soon after as Olaofe’s cross-come-shot took a deflection off Carlisle veteran Jon Mellish and went into the back of the net.

Into the second half and the Cumbrian side were desperately trying to pul a goal back that would take the match into extra time.

But despite their clear determination, there was a real lack of quality in the final third from the north east side.

With five minutes remaining though, that goal did come as Omari Patrick showed some composure in front of goal to equalise.

The match went to extra time with the first 15 minutes being a particularly scrappy affair.

Late on however, Stockport almost scored but Jack Stretton’s effort was saved superbly by Tomas Holy.

At the other end, Tristian Dennis flicked a header at goal but Ben Hinchcliffe produced one of the saves of the season to take the match to penalties.

From the spot, it Carlisle dispatched all their penalties to claim promotion.