* (3 - 3 on aggregate, Cardiff win 4 - 3 on penalties)
Cardiff City booked their place in the Championship play off final at Wembley following a dramatic penalty shoot out win over Leicester City.
Michael Chopra initially put the hosts ahead, but Matt Fryatt's volley and an own goal from defender Mark Hudson allowed Leicester to go in at half time with a goal advantage on the night.
Andy King put the Foxes ahead on aggregate in the second half with a fine header, but Peter Wittingham's spot kick ensured extra time and penalties.
Foxes manager Nigel Pearson opted to recall Steve Howard to the starting eleven following a three match suspension, as well as Matt Fryatt who made his first full appearance since suffering a broken jaw against Doncaster back in February.
Cardiff dominated the early exhanges of the match, with Peter Whittingham's low drive whistling past the post in the first few minutes.
But it was Michael Chopra who opened the scoring for the Bluebirds on 21 minutes when he latched onto Jay Bothroyd's header to fire a low shot past onrushing Leicester keeper Chris Weale, putting Cardiff two goals ahead on aggregate.
Leicester hit back against the run of play just minutes later as Steve Howard's header was met by Matt Fryatt, who volleyed past keeper David Marshall to score his first goal of 2010.
The away side were ahead ten minutes later when Mark Hudson - unable to deal with another Steve Howard header - directed the ball into his own net.
Dave Jones' men fans may have felt aggrieved to be 2-1 down at half time, as they had had the lion's share of possession - as well as opportunities - in the first 45 minutes.
However, Leicester struck again early in the second half when Andy King headed home his eleventh goal of the season, following a wonderful cross from Paul Gallagher, sending the travelling fans into raptures as the Foxes went ahead 3-2 on aggregate.
King had a chance put the game almost beyond reach when he latched onto Jack Hobbs' header inside the six yard box, but he was denied by Peter Whittingham's last ditch clearance.
Whittingham then levelled the score for Cardiff and with twenty minutes to go as he fired home his 25th goal of the season, after they were awarded a penalty by refeee Howard Webb following Alex Bruce's mistimed challenge on Michael Chopra in the box.
With the score at 3-3 on aggregate, Cardiff had chances to win the game with Jay Bothroyd hitting the post after a sintilating run, Whittingham firing a thunderous free kick against the crossbar, and Jack Hobbs denying Michael Chopra with a goal line clearance.
Extra time also failed to seperate the two sides - who had finished on the same points tally at the end of 46 Championship games - despite chances being squandered for both sides by substitutes Kelvin Etuhu and Martyn Waghorn, and so a penalty shoot out would see one side advance to Wembley.
Bruno Berner, Steve Howard and Nolberto Solano all scored from the spot for Leicester, while Michael Chopra, substitute Ross McCormack and Joe Ledley kept the home side level.
But it was advantage Cardiff when Yann Kermorgant's disastrously weak chip was stopped by David Marshall, while Mark Kennedy fired Cardiff 4-3 ahead.
And when Marshall broke Leicester hearts by saving Martyn Wahgorn's penalty, Cardiff fans could finally celebrate after an intense home finale, as their side booked their place in the play off final against Blackpool.
Leicester City, on the other hand, will face another year in the Championship, following an extremely promising season.
Man of the Match - Steve Howard
