Ward's ambitious attempt to guide Carlisle into the Championship ended in failure following their 2-0 loss to Leeds in a pulsating second leg at Brunton Park last night, but he refused to begrudge United their place in the final at Wembley on May 25.

Jonathan Howson's 91st-minute strike earned Leeds a 3-2 win on aggregate – the second time over two legs that Carlisle have conceded a goal in injury-time – and the defeat was a further disappointment for a club who narrowly missed out on automatic promotion from League One.

The Cumbrian side were favourites to finish second behind Swansea City at the start of April but slipped down the division after ending the campaign with one win from eight games.

And they were unable to take advantage of their impressive 2-1 victory over Leeds in the semi-final first leg at Elland Road on Monday night.

Ward said: "Leeds have deserved to go through.

"There were two very tired teams out there who gave their all and I wish Leeds well in the final.

"For us to be in the mix with a club like Leeds is a good sign for Carlisle.

"Two last-minute goals in two games – one to get them back in it and one to put them through – is a choker and 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 hard. We didn't get what we want and we can play better, but I've got absolutely no grumbles about the effort and determination of the team.

"We've given the city of Carlisle a football team to be very proud of, even in defeat, and that's important to remember.

"We didn't quite have enough to stay in second place and we didn't have enough to put Leeds away. But fourth place is progression and we've got to try and progress a bit further next year."

Ward admitted he was still struggling to come to terms with the six minutes of stoppage-time played by referee Tony Bates during Monday's first leg, which saw Dougie Freedman claim a crucial goal for Leeds with five of those added minutes gone.

Bates had originally indicated a minimum of four additional minutes.

Alan Wiley, last night's official, sounded the final whistle shortly after Howson's second goal of the night, leaving Carlisle's players to display their dejection while United's squad celebrated with their travelling fans.

Ward said: "It's amazing when one game finishes with nine minutes extra and one with only two.

"But that's what happens and I'm not having a go at the referees.

"We didn't play as well as we did on Monday but the desire and the determination of this group of players is top drawer. We showed some real togetherness."