Millwall overcome Leeds to reach final
There will be no Championship football at Elland Road next season
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Thursday, 14, May 2009 10:22
A penalty miss from Jermaine Beckford proved costly for Leeds United as they were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Millwall in the League One play-off.
Already trailing 1-0 from the first-leg, Leeds missed the chance to get back on level terms after the spot-kick miss but did make the tie all square thanks to a goal from Luciano Becchio. However, Nadjim Abdou equalised for Millwall to send them to Wembley.
Leeds knew they had to score to get back in the tie and their boisterous fans at Elland Road did all they could to spur their men on. Beckford had the first real chance for Leeds as he saw a shot on goal saved by David Forde and the Millwall keeper made a follow-up save from an unbalanced Fabien Delph.
The home side were given a lifeline at the start of the second-half when referee Mark Halsey spotted a tug on Sam Sodge from Andy Frampton an awarded Leeds a penalty. Forde though was the hero for Millwall as he saved the penalty and again denied Delph from the rebound.
But the crucial goal for Leeds came three minutes later when Becchio got in between two defenders to finish off after Ben Parker had put the ball in the area from the left-wing.
Leeds were now on top and only a last ditch tackle from Tony Dunne prevented Beckford from breaking away through on goal.
The Lions had very few chances in the match, but were clinical when it really mattered. A cross from Dave Martin was flicked into the path of Abdou by Lewis Grabban and the midfielder poked home from close range.
Despite there being six minutes of stoppage time, Millwall managed to hold on to book their place in the League One play-off final.