Rob Wolleaston scored in either half to fire the U's to the play-off final at Wembley.

Jimmy Quinn made three changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Burton on Friday and reverted to a 3-5-2 formation. Mark Peters returned to the back line in place of Michael Morrison, Courtney Pitt replaced Stephen Reed on the left and Lee McEvilly returned up front alongside Magno Vieira, while Leo Fortune-West returned to the squad as a substitute following his loan spell at York City.

Nigel Clough made two changes to his side, calling up Aaron Webster and Dave Farrell in place of Paul Hurst and Keith Gilroy on the left of midfield and defence respectively.

With three sides of the ground packed to the rafters and the South Stand half-filled with Burton fans, the atmosphere was electric as kick-off approached. The noise dipped momentarily as it was announced that the club learned this morning of the death of supporter James McDonald at the age of just 34, and the news was followed by a round of applause in memory of James.

The noise around the ground was deafening following the final announcements of the teamsheets and the match kicked off at lightning pace, with United making the perfect start. Inside 30 seconds Lee McEvilly bustled into the area from the left, his shot was parried onto the post but rebounded with the goalkeeper stranded, and Rob Wolleaston followed in to tap the ball into an empty net from barely a yard out to send the atmosphere through the roof.

McEvilly's presence clearly rattled the Burton defence and he scared them into conceding a corner under little pressure two minutes later, and in the eighth minute he delivered a beautifully cushioned header back into the path of Wolleaston who darted into the area but prodded the ball wide as Poole dashed off his line to meet him.

The midfielder then required treatment at the side of the pitch as referee Mullarkey allowed play to continue, seemingly unaware that the U's were a man short. Wolleaston resumed while limping heavily and the game returned to stalemate in the 14th minute.

Andrew Corbett's long-range shot deflected off Wayne Hatswell for a corner and McGrath whipped it in to the near post, where it was flicked on for the unmarked Daryl Clare to nod in from close range.

As the game continued at breakneck speed, Danny Brown was first to be booked following an aerial clash with Simpson, and with neither side getting a grip on the match a strange passage of play midway through the half saw United hearts in mouths. Courtney Pitt give the ball away to Harrad who broke clear and although he was robbed by Albrighton's superbly-timed challenge in the area, the follow-up clearance rebounded off a United shirt, and as the ball came back again Potter and Peters got in each other's way and the ball ran free in the area before Potter scrambled back to collect at last.

Burton broke away on the counterattack and were stopped by Danny Brown, and as United failed to clear the free kick and nerves jangled loudly Clare pounced but Danny Potter stretched to get a vital block on the ball.

At last United broke out of their half and McEvilly created space in the Burton area on the half hour and Rob Wolleaston had a shot blocked at close-range, and as the U's kept the pressure on Courtney Pitt was brought down by Corbett two yards outside the area on the left. He crossed low and hard and the ball looped off McEvilly high into the air and was hustled behind for a corner that Harrad cleared.

Two minutes later Pitt again drew attention from the Burton defence and did well to earn another corner from the left that evaded Peters' forehead by inches, and a minute later the little wingback drew his marker before setting up Vieira for a dribble in the area, the Brazilian eventually playing the ball back to Paul Carden whose shot from 20 yards was superbly tipped over by Poole.

Pitt was United's key outlet at this stage and on 41 he again burst past two before sliding the ball to Vieira in the area, but the Brazilian went down easily under a challenge and Mr Mullarkey booked him for a dive.

United had a spell of pressure as play entered stoppage time but a quick counterattack saw Harrad burst into the area and Danny Potter had to be quick and brave to charge out and parry the ball away. Half-time 1-1

Second half:
United's players were out first as they prepared to attack the home end, but Burton threatened first as Farrell raced away and cut in from the left, tried to lob Potter and the ball dropped for Corbett at the far post who prodded the ball straight at Potter.

United counterattacked and from a throw-in Gleeson crossed the for Vieira whose firm header forced a second superb save from Poole, and at the resulting corner Peters' header seemed to have been touched onto the bar by the keeper but a goalkick was awarded.

United's encouraging start was matched by Burton who also threatened on the counter, Farrell leaving Gleeson in his wake and crossing for Harrad who nodded over the bar on 52. Three minutes later Simpson was booked for a foul on Hatswell, and on 57 Pitt turned smartly on the edge of the area and crossed to the far post where Dan Gleeson dived in with a firm header but was denied by the fist of that man Poole.

Jimmy Quinn withdrew Magno Vieira in the 59th minute and sent on Lee Boylan for his comeback appearance following a knee injury against Torquay two weeks ago, both men receiving warm applause, and three minutes later United were ahead again through another Rob Wolleaston goal.

The ball was crossed from the left to Wolleaston lurking on the right side of the area, and although he probably intended to cross the ball he actually floated it perfectly over Poole and into the far top corner for his second goal of the game and eighth of the season.

With three sides of the Trade Recruitment Stadium restored to full voice, Danny Brown left the pitch to an ovation in the 64th minute to be replaced by Stephen Reed, and the match continued at a frantic pace as Burton chased another equaliser and pressed United at every opportunity.

Burton forced three successive corners but the United defence got heads and bodies in the way and Lee Boylan not only completed a clearance following a 70th minute corner with a good defensive header but also connected with his own flick-on.

Three minutes later Lee McEvilly almost scored when Pitt crossed the ball back in following Wolleaston's corner but his header was pushed behind by Poole, and on 75 he collected a booking for time-wasting at a corner.

Substitutions followed in the 77th minute as Nigel Clough sent on loanee striker Matt Williams for Farrell while Leo Fortune-West replaced McEvilly, who left the pitch to a deserved ovation.

Three minutes later United went close when Wolleaston's free kick was cleared as far as Pitt whose cross somehow eluded the many U's heads in the area and was headed away by Stride, and on 82 Corbett volleyed wide at the other end.

Still the chances arrived and on 85 the lively Pitt had a shot from the edge of the area pushed behind by Poole, and although Peters met Wolleaston's corner with a powerful header it was blocked and cleared. Then within the minute another Burton counterattack was cleared long by Reed to the scurrying Boylan, who controlled the ball well but who fired wide of the far post from the left side of the area.

The pace had barely dropped throughout the half and in the 88th minute Pitt was booked for time-wasting as he tried to take the sting out of the game, but the U's ended proceedings on top and in control.

Another breakaway saw Poole turn Fortune-West's shot wide with Boylan racing up alongside him, while Fortune-West's experience shone as he showed good feet to win another corner, which was taken short and retained in the corner to run down the clock.

In the dying moments Burton broke away but the U's defence smuggled the ball behind for a corner, which was cleared for a throw to huge cheers, and with loud chants of "We're going up with Jimmy and Willy" ringing around the ground, the final whistle heralded scenes of joyous celebration. An initial trickle of fans onto the pitch ended with most of the crowd bouncing and singing in front of the players who had retreated to the directors' box, and even half an hour later, with the last post-match interviews taking place, the sound of car horns on Newmarket Road carried over the now misty ground.

Andrea Thrussell

Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Mark Peters, Mark Albrighton, Wayne Hatswell; Dan Gleeson, Paul Carden, Danny Brown (Stephen Reed 64'), Rob Wolleaston, Courtney Pitt; Magno Vieira (Lee Boylan 59'), Lee McEvilly (Leo Fortune-West 77').
Subs not used: Michael Morrison, Mark Beesley.

Booked: Brown foul 18', Vieira unsporting behaviour 41', McEvilly time-wasting 75', Pitt time-wasting 88'

Burton Albion:
Kevin Poole, John Brayford, Tony James, Darren Stride (c), Aaron Webster; Andy Corbett, Michael Simpson, John McGrath, Dave Farrell (Matt Williams 77'); Shaun Harrad, Daryl Clare.
Subs: Marc Goodfellow, Keith Gilroy, Ryan Austin, Saul Deeney.

Booked: Simpson foul 55'

Referee: Mr Mike Mullarkey

Att: 7,276 (away 726)

Match Summary by match commentator Mark Johnson:
"Cambridge United booked a Wembley place with a nerve-jangling win against Burton. Having clawed their way back into the tie with late goals in the first leg the U's got the perfect start to the second when Rob Wolleaston netted after just 32 seconds. But having gained the initiative, they promptly handed it back, allowing Daryl Clare a free header inside a quarter of an hour. Burton were the better side before the break but it was a different story after the interval, with only a string of saves from visiting keeper Kevin Poole keeping United at bay. There was a touch of fortune about the winner midway through the second half when Rob Wolleaston's cross curled in but who would begrudge the U's that little bit of luck. Next stop, Wembley."

Mark's Man of the Match:
"Courtney Pitt - grew into the game and tormented the Burton back line with the pace of Roadrunner. Honourable mention for everyone - it was a real team effort today, including the twelfth man on the terraces."

Ref: Mr Mullarkey - did OK. There were a few contentious decisions but you would expect that. 6/10."

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