Published at 11:41, Thursday, 15 May 2008

UPBEAT Carlisle United boss John Ward is not ordering his team to practice taking penalties ahead of tonight’s crunch second leg.

Ward: I can’t replicate a high-tempo game

The play-off semi-final could go the distance if Leeds wipe out their one-goal deficit, but Ward has not been demanding spot-kick drills on the training ground.

“It’s not something I have been insisting on,” said the United manager.

“I can’t replicate a high-tempo game for two hours in front of 16,000 people, which is what they will have gone through first if it does go to penalties.

“It will simply be a case of how many are capable of taking them if the need arises. People have got to want to be in that position and I would have to look at them it if crops up.”

United’s last play-off semi-final, against Aldershot in the Conference three years ago, memorably went to a shoot-out which Carlisle won amid delirious scenes at Brunton Park.

But Ward, whose side lead 2-1 in the tie, is hoping to avoid the need for penalties by asking his players for a repeat of Monday’s superb first-leg performance.

“We have to discard Monday to a degree and treat this one as an individual match rather than a second leg,” he said.

“We have to set out to try and win the game. Thoughts of holding on don’t come into it. What are we going to do with the ball if we don’t attack?”

Ward’s side came through Monday night’s game unscathed, Simon Hackney having shrugged of a slight ankle knock to be fit for tonight. His fellow left-winger Jeff Smith is getting closer to contention but he is unlikely to make tonight’s squad.

Ahead of tonight’s duel, with a near sell-out crowd anticipated, Ward added: “I heard Gary Johnson at Bristol City before their play-off second leg the other night saying there shouldn’t be any fans going home with their voice intact.

“That’s a good message to put out to Carlisle supporters. Can we do the same?”

The United boss’ major selection dilemma concerns whether to recall right-back David Raven on his return from suspension, at the expense of Paul Arnison, who performed superbly in Monday’s first leg.

But Ward was giving no clues as to his decision, only saying: “It’s good to have David Raven available again.”

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