Preston North End 0 Leeds United 2

(Leeds win 3-1 on aggregate)

Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell was relieved to make the Coca-Cola Championship final despite describing referee Mike Thorpe as "a rabbit in car headlights".

Blackwell was left fuming at the performance of Phil Crossley following Friday's 1-1 first-leg draw with Preston at Elland Road.

Thorpe's display was no better, with the Northampton-shire official booking six players and dismissing Stephen Crainey and Richard Cresswell for two bookable offences.

Both players will now miss the final in Cardiff against either Watford or Crystal Palace on May 21, although it is understood Thorpe will look at the second caution he issued to Crainey.

Fortunately for Blackwell, Leeds managed to overcome the fact they finished the game with nine men, scoring both their goals in the space of five second-half minutes through Rob Hulse and Frazer Richardson prior to the two dismissals.

All that had followed a power cut in the Preston area which meant the start of the second half was delayed by 18 minutes after the lights had gone out just as the players left the pitch at the end of the first period at Deepdale.

"It was a game that had everything," explained Blackwell. "There was a power cut, delays, tackles, goals disallowed, bookings and a referee that seemed to lose his way right at the end.

"I wasn't sure we would have any players left on the pitch the way he was going on.

"I was very sceptical about the two appointments made for this semi-final and I made my feelings known to the powers that be at the time.

"These games are too big for these kinds of officials. For all the teams in the play-off, these are £40million pound games.

"I don't understand why we should have a rabbit in car headlights refereeing a game like this but that's exactly how it ended up.

"He could well have denied two players a massive opportunity to play in the final with his display.

"I will have to have a look at the bookings and think about appealing."

Blackwell, though, was delighted with the display of his players as they overcame all the hurdles put in front of them.

It is believed that one of the motivating factors was a newspaper headline pinned up on the United dressing room wall that read Davies: Job Done'.

"I have to say the players showed tremendous tenacity," added Blackwell. "The lads gave me everything and I am very proud of them.

"Preston were jumping up and down at Elland Road thinking they were in the final."

Preston suffered two bad injuries, with striker Brett Ormerod suffering a fractured tibia and goalkeeper Carlo Nash a fractured cheekbone.