Burnley rode their luck on several occasions and faced a Reading onslaught in the opening 45 minutes at the Madejski Stadium. But a solid defensive display ensured the Clarets went in at half-time with a 1-0 aggregate lead.

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Owen Coyle's side were two minutes from reaching a Carling Cup final day at Wembley against Manchester United by two minutes but returned onto the pitch rejuvenated and with the hunger of wanting that prestigious Wembley final.

And it only took six minutes into the second half before Burnley doubled their aggregate advantage. Paterson picked up the ball inside his own half and drove at the Royals' defence before unleashing a superb 32-yard strike with his left foot that beat Hahnemann and sent 2,000 plus Clarets fans into raptures.

Then, just seven minutes later the Clarets effectively killed the game off. A long ball upfield was collected by Thompson who brought the ball down in his stride before striking a magnificent half-volley from the edge of the area which crashed against the underside of the crossbar before bouncing behind the line.

Steve Coppell's side offered very little in the second-half and rarely threatened Brian Jensen's goal. The only efforts of note came from Dave Kitson and Shane Long who both directed their shots into the heavens. Not even the introduction of former Claret Glen Little could inspire the home side who seemed to have accepted defeat.

Young Burnley prodigy Jay Rodriguez almost added a third on the night when he beat Hahnemann to Jensen's long clearance but his effort went agonisingly wide of the post.

But Mike Riley's full-time whistle prompted mass celebration from the vocal Clarets faithful and it will be they who will be travelling to Wembley Stadium on May 25th where they will challenge Kevin Blackwell's Sheffield United side for a place in the Premiership. Let's hope the Clarets can blunt the Blades!

READING to kick-off the first half of this Coca-Cola Championship play-off semi-final second leg at the Madejski Stadium.

2 – A giant inflatable ball halts play.

3 – Thompson flicks onto Paterson who feeds Blake onto the wing. Comes to nothing.

4 – Paterson gives away an unnecessary corner under no real pressure. Corner is wasted.

5 – Thompson awarded a free-kick after being pulled down by Gunnarsson in the air. Blake slips when taking the free-kick and the ball is cleared.

7 – Thompson fouls Duberry.

8 – Elliott brings down Tabb 30 yards outside the Clarets penalty area. Matejovsky attempts a through ball for long but the ball rolls out of play.

10 – Long plays a dangerous ball into the area but Jensen does well to take it off Kebe's head as he roamed into the 6-yard box.

14 – Paterson gives the ball away and Reading break. An attempted through ball to Church is just cut out by Caldwell.

16 – Kalvenes booked after a challenge on Church who was played down the line by Rosenior. Free-kick to Reading in a dangerous position.

17 – Free-kick falls to long at the back post who comes inside and forces a great save off Jensen. Church attempts a lob on the rebound but just clears the crossbar.

18 – Burnley win their first corner of the game. Carlisle wins the header but falls tamely in front of Hahnemann.

19 – Blake takes down Rosenior on the by-line. Free-kick to Reading in another dangerous position. Caldwell rises highest to clear the ball from danger.

20 – Tame shot from Church on the turn. Jensen saves easily.

21 – Long beats Caldwell to the ball and drives in to the penalty area. Great recovering tackle from the skipper who clears.

21 – Reading win a corner. Matejovsky shot is blocked and Blake clears from inside his own area.

25 – Kalvenes plays McCann down the left. He pulls a cross back to weight Elliott who fires towards goal on the volley. Shot takes a deflection and goes just wide. Burnley corner. The corner is played in by Blake but is cleared from danger.

28 – Paterson drives at Harding on edge of box. Burnley corner.

29 – Clever ball played through for Church by Matejovsky and he runs towards goal. He pulls a dangerous ball back towards the penalty spot but Duff intercepts and clears.

35 – Kalvenes concedes a corner. Duberry booked for foul on Caldwell.

40 – Riley pulls Jensen up for handball outside the area. Free-kick to Reading just outside the 18-yard box. Jensen avoids caution.

41 – Free-kick struck by Harding. Jensen fumbles but recovers. Clarets living on the edge at the moment as half-time approaches.

42 – Great tackle by Caldwell as the ball is whipped into the box by Harding who picked up the ball on the overlap and raced clear of Duff. Another Reading corner.

44 – McCann breaks into the Reading area but his cross is cleared.

45 – Two minutes added on by the official.

HALF –TIME

Reading 0 – 0 Burnley

BURNLEY to kick off the final 45 minutes.

50 – The Clarets' defence stays tight and blocks an attempted through ball from Matejovsky who looked like he was shaping himself to shoot.

51 – Paterson shoots from 32-yards out and beats Hahnemann. A spectacular strike that flies into the far left corner.

Burnley lead 1-0 on the night and 2-0 on aggregate.

54 – Hunt and Kitson replace Matejovsky and Kebe respectively. Former Claret Glen Little also replaces Church.

55 – Elliott brings down Little. Free-kick wasted.

56 – Riley books Elliott.

57 – Riley books Kitson for dissent.

57 – Long booked.

58 – Thompson on the half volley puts Burnley 3-0 ahead on aggregate. A stunning strike that beats Hahnemann and crosses the line after clipping the underside of the bar. Unbelievable start to the second half from the Clarets.

61 – Kalvenes wins a corner for Burnley. Burnley fans in fine voice.

69 – Chants of "are you watching PNE" come from the Burnley fans.

71 – Long picks up a deflection in the Burnley area and strikes off balance. That's gone way into the heavens.

71 – Paterson replaced by Joey Gudjonsson.

73 – Kitson spurns a great opportunity and blazes over the bar from 12 yards out after turning and striking on the half volley.

77 – McCann rises to meet Blake's corner but his attempt is saved comfortably by Hahnemann.

79 – Rodriguez replaces Thompson.

82 – The ball falls to Rodriguez on the penalty spot but he slips as he sets himself up to shoot.

83 – Eagles on for Elliott.

84 – Long ball to Kitson who mis-controls when clear on goal. The ball bounces safely to Jensen.

85 – Long range effort from Tabb fails to trouble Jensen.

87 – A Jensen long ball finds Rodriguez who beats Hahnemann to the high ball but his header goes agonisingly wide of the post.

89 – Long range strike from Gudjonsson clears the bar after being encouraged to shoot by the vocal Clarets faithful.

90 – Official indicates 3 minutes of added time.

90 – Burnley playing some lovely intricate football out on the left wing before winning a free-kick.

The full-time whistle is blown and Burnley will be at Wembley on May 25th for the play-off final against Sheffield United. Come on you Clarets!

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