Carlisle promoted to League One after beating Stockport in Wembley shootout

Carlisle returned to League One after edging past Stockport on penalties in a battle of endurance at Wembley to clinch their first promotion for 17 years. Tomas Holy’s save from Ryan Rydel enabled the substitute Taylor Charters to score the winning penalty and spark wild jubilation for the Cumbrians after their long journey south.

Stockport appeared to be on course for back-to-back promotions after Jon Mellish’s first-half own goal. Carlisle left it late but Omari Patrick’s 84thminute goal forced extra time. For the second day in a row, the playoff final was decided on penalties but while the Hatters of Luton delivered in the shootout on Saturday their namesakes Stockport fell agonisingly short.

A cagey opening was probably influenced by the balmy sunshine at Wembley with both teams intent on avoiding a potentially costly mistake. Carlisle were denied an opener, midway through the half, with Owen Moxon’s free-kick headed towards goal by Joe Garner but Ben Hinchliffe pushed the effort around the post.

Stockport owed great fortune to their breakthrough with Isaac Olaofe’s cross wickedly deflecting off Mellish and looping over the goalkeeper Holy. After struggling to create an opening, Stockport were in front with an incredibly harsh break for Carlisle.

United rallied and spurned a chance to equalise before the break, with John-Kymani Gordon not finishing off his rampaging run with a goal after blasting his effort over the bar.

Stockport should have doubled their lead in the second half but the defender Akil Wright planted his free header wide of the post from Chris Hussey’s free-kick.

Carlisle were struggling to create openings but their need to push forward was leaving space for Stockport to pounce on the counterattack.