Leeds United midfielder Jonny Howson is hoping history repeats itself at Carlisle tonight (7.00).

Leeds-born Howson scored twice at Carlisle to turn around a 2-1 deficit from the home leg in the 2008 promotion play-off semi-final and take Leeds through 3-2 on aggregate.

Now Leeds trail 2-1 once more, going into tonight’s away leg of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern Area final.

Howson, who scored in the tenth minute and injury-time on a memorable Thursday night at Brunton Park, said: “That stayed with me for quite a while.

"It felt special at the time and I guess it still is. A lot of water has gone under the bridge and it’s almost two years ago.

“It was a great moment for me but if we’re talking about the season as a whole then the only thing that mattered was that we lost the play-off final (against Doncaster).

"In the end the night at Carlisle meant nothing, brilliant though it was. I realised that when we lost at Wembley.”

Howson added: “I’ve changed as a player since then, I’ve grown up a bit more and this is a totally different game. The JPT isn’t our priority but that doesn’t mean we’re not bothered about it. We’ve been committed to winning it right from the start, just the same as promotion.

“It’s a chance to play at Wembley and the chance to lift a trophy. I think that matters. It’s not going to mean much if we don’t get out of League One but there’s no reason why we can’t do both.

“I’ve been asked loads of times if I’m bothered about the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and I mean it when I say I am. I don’t think players can pick and choose which games are important and which aren’t. You’re paid to win every game you play in.”

Manager Simon Grayson said: “Any final at Wembley is an incentive. If we get through, we could take 40,000 to 50,000 supporters to Wembley but Carlisle know it would be a decent day out for their fans too, so we can’t underestimate them.

“I was sitting in a bar somewhere watching the game on TV when Leeds went to Carlisle trailing 2-1 from the first leg in the promotion play-offs and won, so we know a one-goal deficit can be turned round very quickly. We have players capable of doing it in a one-off cup-tie.”

Grayson will check the fitness of Jermaine Beckford, Patrick Kisnorbo and Neil Kilkenny before finalising his team.