The Cumbrians go into the play-off semi final second leg with a precious one-goal advantage and confidence is high in the border town that the club's season will culminate in a place in the League One final.

As if to illustrate this point, ticket sales have soared since Monday's 2-1 victory at Elland Road with officials now hoping tonight's crowd could rival the 16,668 – Brunton Park's highest for more than 30 years – that watched the League meeting between the two clubs last November.

It means the noise levels are certain to be cranked up before kick-off along with, according to Leeds manager McAllister, the expectation levels of the home supporters.

The United manager said: "Many people saw us as favourites at Elland Road, but with Carlisle now having a goal start then they will be seen as favourites. It means we will go in as underdogs.

"They have the expectation and pressure of the home fans, which we had the other night. The roles are reversed and we will see how they cope with that.

"Pressure can make a player's decision making and touch be a little bit out. It is the same with a choice of pass. Our performance on Monday did surprise me, but that first leg is out of the way now.

"We have seen in the last few days that the home teams in these games are feeling under a bit of pressure. That is to be expected.

"We have relinquished that now. We are going away from home and the shackles are off. The pressure is on Carlisle.

"The onus will be on the home side and the weight of expectation is on them. We have to take advantage of it."

The United squad travelled north yesterday after training at Thorp Arch and McAllister has just one injury concern, Jermaine Beckford.

The club's top scorer started against Carlisle on Monday night but was substituted early in the second half with a recurrence of the ankle injury that had kept him out for the past month.

McAllister, who has admitted that his side have been practicing penalties in case the tie ends level on aggregate after extra-time tonight, will give Beckford as long as possible to prove his fitness for a game that will decide whether the season is extended by another 10 days. He said: "It is half-time, but the fortunate thing from our point of view is that there are 90 minutes left and not 45 to get the goal back. We do not need to go gung-ho.

"We have to play with our heads. It is not a case of flooding people forward, what we need to do is recognise the situations when we should commit men forward. And be brave enough to do it."

One player in the Leeds camp who, if selected, is certain to receive a rough ride from the home fans is Paul Huntington.

The Carlisle-born defender incensed supporters from his hometown club during the League game between the two sides at Elland Road in April by allegedly making gestures towards them as Leeds won 3-2.

Huntington was booed by the majority of the visiting fans on Monday night but David Prutton is backing his team-mate to handle any abuse tonight.

The Leeds midfielder said: "Hunts is a quiet lad but he is passionate about his football. I am sure they will give him a bit of stick but that is part of it.

"It is his hometown club – I think he will be fine. It will be a huge part of his education as a young footballer and will stand him in good stead in the future.

"He might not run up and wave to the crowd again. He was obviously emotional and had played well and had been playing well, he just reacted.

"But as long as he defends, gets his head in the way and his tackles in, that is all we are asking of him."


Last six games: Leeds United WLWWWL, Carlisle United DLLLDW.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Last time: Carlisle United 3 Leeds United 1; November 3, 2007; League One.