Carlisle defender Aaron Hayden has his hands covering his face while Boreham Wood player Cameron Coxe has his raised aloft in joy Getty Images

Carlisle will spend two consecutive seasons in the National League for the first time in their history

Adam Lanigan
BBC Sport, North East & Cumbria at Brunton Park

Boreham Wood will face Rochdale in the National League promotion final at Wembley next Sunday after an extra-time victory over 10-man Carlisle United.

Zak Brunt, just as he had done in the play-off eliminator against Forest Green Rovers on Wednesday, came up with the winning goal as he delicately lifted his finish over Gabe Breeze to leave his side 90 minutes away from EFL football for the first time in their history.

The game turned decisively in the visitors' favour early into extra time when Carlisle substitute Junior Luamba was sent off for a bad foul on Brunt.

The earlier goals had come in the first half as Abdul Abdulmalik gave the visitors a deserved lead with a deflected strike before captain Morgan Feeney brought the hosts level when he fired through Ted Curd's legs from a narrow angle.

It was bitter disappointment for Mark Hughes and Carlisle as their hopes of an immediate return to League Two following relegation were dashed.

Rochdale and York City's epic battle for the title and sole automatic promotion spot rightly took the headlines as both sides finished with well over 100 points.

These two were the best of the rest but had reasons to applaud their regular season efforts.

In finishing third, Carlisle's tally of 95 points would have been enough for a top-two spot in all three EFL divisions, while it was also a club-record tally for a 46-game season.

That was the same for Boreham Wood, as their total of 90 in finishing fourth was their best at this level.

After bouncing back through the National League South play-offs 12 months ago, this is their fourth crack at the play-offs at this level and all with Luke Garrard at the helm.

By virtue of finishing one place lower, the Hertfordshire club had to come through extra time to defeat Forest Green in the eliminator round, while Carlisle had eight days to prepare.

Abdul Abdulmalik shoots with his left foot as two Carlisle players Ryan Galvin and Luke Armstrong - (ARMSTRONG 29) try to block himGetty Images

Boreham Wood lost the National League play-off final to Tranmere in 2018

Boreham Wood had scored five goals against Carlisle in the two league games this season and they started much the better, controlling possession and it brought its reward just before the half-hour mark.

The ball was worked from a short corner to Abdulmalik and, with the defence slow to push out, the dangerous winger took aim and his low deflected shot got past goalkeeper Breeze, who was slow to get down to it.

Abdulmalik's pace and trickery almost created a second as Breeze could only parry his low cross-shot, with the defence gratefully able to hack clear.

Carlisle had struggled to gain a foothold until captain Feeney took matters into his own hands. He carried the ball out of defence, played a one-two into the box and fired through goalkeeper Curd's legs from a narrow angle.

That allowed them to steady things after the break as the game was a lot more even. Regan Linney brought a good low save out of Curd with the best effort, while Feeney made two huge interventions in his own area to stop dangerous attacks.

Substitute Georgie Kelly thought he had won it late on for Carlisle but he was penalised for handball and the game went into an extra 30 minutes.

Fellow Blues substitute Chris Conn-Clarke brought a spectacular save out of Curd with a dipping volley before the game turned on the actions of Luamba.

He launched into a crude, late lunge on Brunt right on the touchline and could have few complaints about being sent off.

From there, the visitors took complete control and passed up a number of chances to score before the end of the first period.

Yet Brunt needed less than 60 seconds of the second to claim his 19th goal of an impressive campaign with a beautiful finish after a lovely reverse pass from Lewis Richardson as the midfielder came up with another massive moment for his club to set up their crack at promotion.

'We've had an outstanding season' - reaction

Carlisle United head coach Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria:

"On the day, it's a disappointment for everyone.

"Georgie [Kelly] is adamant that it was not handball and that it should have been a goal. He's convinced that it hit something bony. To see that fly in at 2-1, I think we would have gone on to win the game.

"The referee has to be 100% certain it's handball and only Georgie knows that and he's adamant it wasn't. That's a big moment in the game.

"Unfortunately, Junior has then made a rash challenge. I think the referee should have used a bit of common sense as the lad has jumped up, it wasn't high. It wasn't worthy of a red card, but certainly a yellow.

"But we've had an outstanding season and the club has come a long way."

Player of the match

A. Abdulmalik
8.88
5 M. Feeney
6.91
10 R. Linney
6.09
22 J. Williams
5.85
12 R. Galvin
5.58
9 G. Kelly
5.57
8 C. Whelan
5.48
6 A. Hayden
5.41
37 H. Macadam
5.38
38 C. Conn-Clarke
5.30
29 L. Armstrong
5.26
16 S. Wearne
5.23
7 D. Ajiboye
5.22
1 G. Breeze
4.76
26 B. Mugabi
4.62
18 J. Ellis
4.53
25 E. Yeboah
4.35
11 J. Luamba
3.22
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