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" Two last-minute goals in two games, one to get them back in and one to put them through, it's a choker isn't it. I've got a dressing-room full of people who feel that way about it, but that's sport. We've done our best, we've tried very, very hard to get what we want, we can always play better but I have got absolutely no grumbles about the effort and the determination of the team. I've just said to other people in there that we have given the city of Carlisle a football team to be very proud of even in defeat, and I think that is important to remember.
" It absolutely is progression, we finished eighth last year and this year we have gone into fourth. Whatever you say about the finish off, we didn't quite have enough to stay in second, and that's fine, I accept that. Then we've not quite had enough to put Leeds away in the play-offs, but it is progression when you look at the situation. We've got to try, if we can as a football club, to progress it a bit further next year, it will be extremely difficult but we have to try to do that.
" We just said at half-time that the scores were level and we needed to just be a bit sharper on things. You try to put the thing in perspective, which it was, we've come in, we're drawing with Leeds at home and we have got 45 minutes to try to win the game. We needed to be a bit quicker, I thought that we were on our heels once or twice, or probably a bit more than that in the first-half, and missed out on things.
" In the second-half we tried to get on our toes really and we've done that. We've had a really good pressurising spell without really getting too many end products to it. At the end there were two very tired teams who have given their all in both games. I wish Leeds well, they and us have had four fantastic games this season. For us to be in the mix with a club like Leeds United, that's a good sign for Carlisle.
" That's it, last minute, season over, that's how sport does you isn't it. One moment, one situation, I wish that we had had Alan Wiley's watch on Monday. He's played two minutes in the game which is amazing when you consider we played something like nine on Monday. Again though, they are things that you have got to deal with and cope with. We're the losers, but in the concept of the season we're not losers. "
" When it does settle down and my players sit back and look at it, you look at people like (Chris) Lumsdon, I've talked to him in there, and Keiren (Westwood) and Danny Livesey and (Peter) Murphy. I asked them what they have done in the last three or four years, I told them that they had done absolutely fantastic things at this club. I told them that whilst they don't feel like it at the moment, just reflect on that in your moments when you are quiet. Then when we come back again in pre-season we'll remember tonight and we'll just dig in that little bit extra if we can.
" It's business as usual, I've got all the players in tomorrow and we've got all appointment times. I'll speak to every one of them individually, they have all got ten minutes with me. Some will be quicker than others as you know, but those situations will be dealt with in the morning, and that's how we'll deal with it.
" I'd like to say, I'm not going to get many more chances, but I'd just like to say thanks to the supporters. I think they have been brilliant because they have been through the ringer just the same as me and the team have, yet they are still there. It has been a terrific season, yes we have given them a rollercoaster, someone said to me the other day that Carlisle don't do straightforward. I'm having to learn that but the people of Carlisle have been extremely supportive of myself as a newcomer into their city, and the team in general.
" I thank them for that and hopefully they can think the same way as I do that when next July or August time comes around we have another go at it, and that's really what we have got to do. I can look for progression, I have got young 20-year old boys in my dressing-room who can't see that far ahead. I've got to do that though, I'm the manager, I'm older than them, I've been through a few different things and different emotions.
" So I've got to try to put my emotions to one side, deal with the players professionally tomorrow, and I'll take my moments when I get them. I've enjoyed the season, I can't say every minute because Millwall away and Oldham and those sort of things haven't been every minute. I've enjoyed the contest and I've enjoyed the challenge though of coming into this club and this city. I've really enjoyed the support of the team and I think that has been something that has reflected through to the supporters, and we really must try very hard to maintain that. "
Meanwhile Carlisle goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, who was outstanding in both legs, commented :
" To concede in the 91st minute, plus it's the winner, it's devastating really. Because after a long hard season for him (Jonny Howson) to put it in the bottom corner in the last minute is a tragedy, on our behalf anyway. To be fair I was face down with my face in the mud in the goalmouth, really disappointed.
" Progression isn't something that we are looking at right now, what we're looking at is obviously a defeat. Obviously I wish Leeds all the best but it should have been us, the late goal at their place is the last thing on our minds. I don't know if Leeds shaded the win, I can't really remember too much about the game, I'll be honest with you, I just keep seeing that going in the bottom corner. "