Carlisle 1-1 Stockport AET (5-4 on pens): Paul Simpson’s side secure promotion to League One

Carlisle grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat at Wembley to clinch promotion to League One in dramatic fashion.

United were six minutes away from defeat when super-sub Omari Patrick scored a late equalizer to undo a disastrous own goal from Jon Mellish.

But with neither side able to win it in extra time, Tomas Holy came up with trumps to save in Ryan Rydel’s shoot-out.

And Taylor Charters came forward to score the winning penalty and stage a spectacular comeback in Carlisle’s first EFL play-off final.

Stockport were the team of form going into the game. They had lost just one of their previous 15 games, while Carlisle had only won three in 13.

Ryan Rydel saw his effort saved by Carlisle goalkeeper Tomas Holy in the penalty shootout

Stockport went ahead after Isaac Olaofe’s cross deflected on Jon Mellish for an own goal

County also had the advantage in the earlier clashes between the sides this season, winning 2-0 at home in October and drawing 2-2 in April.

But Carlisle came closest in a frantic opening, with Ben Hinchcliffe going full throttle to tap a free header from Joe Garner around his stanchion.

However, there was absolutely nothing Tomas Holy could do about the opener, which came on a quick run from Isaac Olaofe.

The Stockport striker attempted to cross the ball when it deflected off the hapless Mellish and looped over the stunned Carlisle keeper Holy.

Stockport finished the season three points clear of their opponents in the table in fourth and suddenly found themselves one foot back in League One.

But they had Akil Wright to thank for protecting their lead with a fantastic last-ditch block tackle on Joel Senior, who was clear just before the break.

Even after that, Carlisle had a great chance to draw level, but John-Kymani Gordon cut his shot well wide after showing brilliant pace and power to charge through.

So Stockport went in at half-time and led in the game, despite not quite getting a single shot on target in the first half.

Akil Wright had a chance to double Stockport’s lead but headed a free kick wide of goal

Omari Patrick sent the game to extra time with the substitute scoring a late equalizer

Wright should have doubled the lead shortly after the break with a free header from a brilliant Chris Hussey free kick, but shot narrowly wide.

The longer it stayed at 1-0, the more you began to wonder if Stockport would regret missing such opportunities.

Carlisle slowly began to take control of the game, with County largely limiting themselves to playing on the counterattack.

There was huge controversy shortly after top scorer Kristian Dennis finally replaced Carlisle as County survived a big handball call-up.

But with Carlisle’s tails up, Patrick scored his dramatic equalizer soon after from a cross from Joel Senior that Stockport only half cleared.

That set up extra time, as Stockport came on again and Jack Stretton had a great try knocked down by Holy.

Hinchcliffe then made an even better save at the other end when a fleeting header from Dennis seemed to sneak in.

But Holy’s save in Ryan Rydel’s shoot-out allowed Taylor Charters to step up and shoot the winning penalty to thrill the Carlisle fans.