Leeds Carnegie 30 Nottingham 26: Top-flight return is now on the radar for Leeds

Newcastle Falcons, seemingly invincible all season, stand in their way in a two-legged semi-final that will not be as one-sided as it would have been nearly two months ago.

Then, Leeds were wallowing in mid-table, their play-off hopes hanging by a thread.

Six successive wins later and they head into the post-season in buoyant mood, emboldened by their resolve to grind out a vital win against Nottingham, and encouraged by a first defeat of the season for Newcastle.

Conversely, the Falcons’ loss to Bristol nearly resulted in heartache for Leeds, who would have dropped to fifth had Nottingham’s late rally at Headingley on Saturday proved successful.

As it was, Leeds’s pack – dominant throughout – found another gear to close out a priceless victory that underlines the progress made by Leeds in not only the final weeks of the season, but in the campaign overall.

“What this has allowed us to do is look at the next objective,” beamed satisfied coach Diccon Edwards.

“At the start of the season, we had a young squad that we believed with the right attitude we could develop to be a top-four team and that’s been the case.

“There’s been highs and lows, but we always knew it would take time and what we’ve proven now is that we’re worthy of a top-four place and we are genuine contenders for the competition now.

“It’s a brilliant achievement to finish in the top four. For this squad to have developed all season, and for a club like Bristol to be only good enough for fifth, tells us we’re a good side, still in the early years of our development.

“Yes, there are some hurdles in our way, notably Newcastle, but the confidence that has developed through the season that has culminated in a strong performance under real pressure, has shown what a good side we are going to become.”

That Edwards does not yet feel Leeds have fully blossomed should fill the Headingley faithful with great confidence.

With the majority of their players signed for next season, the 2013-14 campaign may prove their best chance of a fourth ascension to the Premiership in their history.

But with Newcastle showing vulnerability, now might be the time to strike.

“Behind the scenes we’ve thought they were beatable for some time now,” said Edwards.

“The result against us at home (lost 13-9) and other recent results has shown they are like any team, that when you put them under pressure, there’s a few cracks.

“Undoubtedly, they will lick their wounds and come back stronger, they’re an ambitious club that is well resourced and well staffed, so it hasn’t made it any easier, but what it has done is reinforced the belief that, if you get your game right, you can cause them problems.

“They’re like any team, when you put them under pressure, good things can happen.”

The dates for the semi-final are Bank Holiday Monday, May 6, (3.15pm) for the first leg and Sunday, May 12, (1.15pm) for the return. Newcastle, as higher seeds, will decide today whether to play home or away first.

Victory over Nottingham was not Leeds’s finest performance, with nerves playing a part. But their forwards were so dominant that they were worthy victors.

Joe Ford kicked three first-half penalties off the back of the scrum, and the closest they came to a try was when Ford broke out of the 22 and fed Josh Griffin, whose diagonal run had Nottingham back-pedalling. His grubber, though, did not bounce kindly enough for Oli Goss in the corner.

Nottingham captain Tom Caladine cut a swathe through the Leeds defence to set up Alex Lewington, who cut the deficit to an edgy 9-5 at the break.

Leeds – knowing Bristol led at Newcastle – needed a strong start to the second half and their forwards provided it with a penalty try and then yet more grunt up front provided a channel for replacement prop James Currie to exploit.

At 23-5 it looked all over, but Nottingham pulled to within four points as Calladine and Ryan Bower powered over from identical positions on the right.

The pressure was alleviated when Pierce Phillips blocked Rory Lynn’s clearance kick deep in the Nottingham 22, and Fred Burdon jinked his way over; Ford taking his tally to 15 with the conversion.

But another Nottingham try, Tom Price punching through a jittery defence, cut the deficit to four again.

One more try for the visitors and Leeds’s season would have been over, but the pack closed out the game by forcing a penalty in midfield.

Stevie McColl dislocated his shoulder shortly after the break and is set to miss the semi-final.

Leeds Carnegie: McColl (Clegg 42), Goss, Griffin, Burdon, D Doherty, Ford, J Doherty (Hampson 80); Imiolek (Harris 57), Freer (Graham 64), Tussac (Currie 52), Green, Barrow, Baldwin, Walker (Phillips 72), Rowan. Unused replacements: Nilsen.

Nottingham: Jackson, Lewington, Cobden (Forsyth 16), Munro, Crane, Lynn, Lee-Everton; Harris (Holford 31), Duffey (Malton 57), Bower, Montague, Quinn (Price 59), Cooper (Eggleshaw 68), Caladine, Gray. Unused replacements: Romans, Arlidge.

Referee: J Meredith (RFU).