Leeds United 1-1 Millwall

The Lions went into tonight’s second leg with a 1-0 lead over Leeds United, although they had to survive a second half penalty miss and Luciano Becchio’s strike three minutes later to set up a final date at the national stadium.

Manager Kenny Jackett drafted in Saturday’s goal hero Neil Harris for the injured Jason Price, while James Henry got the nod ahead of Marc Laird after an impressive second half cameo role from the on-loan Reading winger at the weekend.

Adam Bolder picked up a yellow card in the opening minute after a clumsy challenge on Robert Snodgrass.

Tony Craig got a vital block in to prevent Fabian Delph’s long range drive from testing David Forde on 14 minutes, although it is worth noting the expected onslaught from Leeds didn’t really materialise in the opening quarter of an hour.

Snodgrass’s low shot from just inside of the area on 17 minutes was comfortably dealt with by Forde.

At the other end, Dave Martin’s dipping cross into the danger zone just failed to pick out Harris.

Forde did particularly well to keep out Jermaine Beckford’s initial effort and Delph’s follow-up to the rebound with an impressive double save in the 24th minute.

Delph became the first Leeds player to see yellow moments later for a needless challenge on Alan Dunne.

Snodgrass played a neat one-two with Becchio before producing a shot which forced Forde had to get down low to keep out after half an hour.

Gary Alexander launched an ambitious strike from 30-yards five minutes before the break but the attempt was always going over the bar.

Millwall earned a free-kick 25-yards out after Martin went to ground under pressure from Snodgrass, although Alexander squandered the opportunity by again blazing his effort into the stands.

However, Alexander atoned when he headed behind Snodgrass’s injury-time free-kick for a corner and the danger was eventually cleared.

And the Lions survived another scare on the stroke of half-time when Andy Robinson fired his free-kick over Forde’s crossbar, but Jackett’s side deservedly went in at the break with their narrow advantage firmly intact.

Leeds started the second half in determined fashion and only a crucial deflection from Dunne prevented Robinson’s free-kick from finding the target.

However, the hosts were awarded a penalty from the resultant corner when Andy Frampton was adjudged to have fouled Sam Sodje.

Beckford stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort lacked power and conviction, enabling Forde to pull off a crucial save and the rebound was blasted over the bar.

But Leeds did draw level on aggregate three minutes later when Ben Parker’s low cross into the box went beyond Forde and Becchio was ideally placed to fire home from six-yards out.

Forde went to ground in a worrying incident after coins were thrown in his direction by Leeds fans behind his goal.

But things became even more alarming when play was immediately called to a halt when Whitbread collapsed when attempting to clear a Leeds free-kick after appearing to knock his head against Forde’s knee.

Fortunately, the centre half was able to resume his role on the pitch after a spell of treatment.

Jackett signalled a tactical change on 64 minutes by replacing Harris with Lewis Grabban.

The new arrival’s first contribution was hardly impressive, firing well wide after Alexander chested the ball into his path five minutes later.

Dunne put in a crucial tackle to deny Beckford a strike at goal in the 72nd minute after a delightful long clearance from Becchio put the Leeds striker clean through.

Leeds paid the price two minutes later when Bolder picked out Martin and his stunning delivery across the six-yard box found Grabban, whose low ball into the danger zone was smashed home by Abdou.

It was a memorable goal and the home faithful were stunned into silence as the 1,000 Millwall fans allowed to make the journey north burst into song.

Forde was fortunate to have a free-kick awarded in his favour when he dropped the ball seven minutes from time, although Beckford’s shot from the rebound was scrambled away regardless by Millwall’s defence.

And the Lions could have gone in front had anyone been there to meet Martin’s inviting ball into the six-yard box seconds later.

Bradley Johnson’s dipping 35-yard shot on 89 minutes just went wide as Leeds went in search of a winner to take the tie to extra-time, although they were rather generously awarded six minutes of injury time.

Grabban should have put the outcome beyond all doubt when he blazed over after being put clean through on 95 minutes.

However, it didn’t ultimately matter as the Lions ran down the clock to set up a Wembley appearance next Sunday.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Craig, Whitbread, Frampton, Henry (Robinson 86), Bolder, Abdou, Martin, Alexander, Harris (Grabban 64). Subs not used: Pidgeley, Barron, Laird.