Howson books final spot for Leeds
The young midfielder hauled the Yorkshiremen back into the tie early in the first period and with the clock ticking down towards extra-time arrowed the winner into the bottom corner from 15 yards.
Howson’s double completed a surprise turnaround for Gary McAllister’s side, who had been outplayed in the first leg at Elland Road to trail 2-1 on aggregate ahead of tonight’s return.
Leeds now head back for their second play-off final in two years and a chance to erase the memory of their defeat to Watford at the Millennium Stadium in 2006.
Leeds were on target at the end of their first attack to level the tie in the 10th minute.
Howson sent Dougie Freedman scampering down the left and raced into the area to latch on to the on-loan Crystal Palace striker’s cross and fire home from close range. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson gave the ball away shortly after the restart and Freedman pounced again to test Westwood from 25 yards.
Kilkenny then dragged a right-footed shot wide when teed up by Beckford, but for a 15-minute period in the second half neither side carved out an opening.
Leeds then began to pen in their hosts for long periods. Westwood flung himself low to his right to turn away Freedman’s 25-yard shot and Johnson’s header hit the outside of the post.
Then with one minute of time added on to play Howson snatched victory for Gary McAllister’s side.
The ball broke to the young midfielder on the edge of the area and the 20-year-old drilled a slightly scuffed effort into Westwood’s bottom left-hand corner.
Westwood, Raven, Livesey, Murphy, Horwood, Dobie, Lumsdon, Grant Smith, Bridge-Wilkinson, Hackney, Graham.
Ankergren, Richardson, Huntington, Michalik, Johnson, Kilkenny, Howson, Douglas, Prutton, Beckford, Freedman.
Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
U21 friendly: Wales U21 0 England U21 (Huddlestone 19 pen, Walcott 25) 2.
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