Carlisle United star Owen Moxon is aiming to make it third time lucky in the play-offs.

The Blues midfielder has twice been on the losing side in the end-of-season shoot-out with former club Annan Athletic.

And the Denton Holme favourite says he has no intention of suffering more play-off heartache with United.

Player-of-the-season Moxon will be a key man for Carlisle as they take on Bradford City in Sunday’s semi-final first leg at Valley Parade.

And he said: “I’ve lost two playoff finals so I’m hoping this is third time lucky.

“I definitely don’t want to have that feeling again.

“It’s been a long season but now the lads are all feeling good, we’re all fit and we just want to go out there and there’s one thing on our mind – and that’s first and foremost to beat Bradford on Sunday and then take us to Wembley, and we want to finish the job off there.

“It is probably the best way to go up. We definitely all want it. We’ll be going out there to try and do it.”

Carlisle will take on a Bradford side who they beat 1-0 at Brunton Park before drawing 0-0 at Valley Parade in their league meetings.

The two sides were neck and neck in the final League Two table, United ahead of Bradford only on goal difference.

And Carlisle-born Moxon said of Mark Hughes’ side: “They’re a good team and a massive club as well. You could say they maybe shouldn’t be a League Two team.

News and Star: Andy Cook, Bradford's prolific frontmanAndy Cook, Bradford's prolific frontman (Image: PA)

“The stadium, everything around it…they’ve got a big following, they’re definitely a good team, and they’ve got a lot of threats.

“Andy Cook has scored a lot of goals, they’ve obviously got threats all over the pitch, but it’s nothing we’re worried about to an extent. We haven’t been beaten by them all year.

“I know that doesn’t matter, but we’re a good side as well and we just focus on ourselves, and try and nullify their problems that they can cause.”

Carlisle will take a sell-out away support to west Yorkshire while a bumper Valley Parade crowd should ensure a memorable play-off atmosphere.

“The game [in March] was the first time I’ve played there. It’s a brilliant ground, and it would be nice to see that full.

“Our fans have been amazing all year, they’ve sold out [away tickets] rapid

“I’m looking forward to it. It doesn’t matter about the games we’ve already played against them. It’s new – two games, two cup finals, both teams will want to go and win.

“I think it’s two good teams who deserve to be here. The game down here [on Boxing Day], we were the better team – we won 1-0 but I think it could have been more.

“At their place it was a game of two halves, we were the better team first half and them probably second half. It should be good viewing for the fans.

“I’m sure if you asked everyone in our dressing room, we want it more, so hopefully it will set up two good games.”