Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson has told Bradford City: this play-off tie is yours to lose.

The Bantams visit Brunton Park on Saturday with a 1-0 lead at the halfway stage of the League Two semi-final.

While Carlisle must go on the attack to salvage the tie, Bradford face a different psychological test in terms of weighing up their approach.

United are hoping to mount a memorable fightback on home soil at a packed Brunton Park.

They will attempt to put pressure on a visiting side hoping to hold onto and enhance their advantage.

“Well, it's theirs to lose now, isn't it?” said Simpson.

“It's ours to win and it's theirs to lose. So it's how do they go about it?

“I know how we have to go – we’ve got to go and win the game. It's up to them how they do it.”

Mark Hughes has warned his side that it is only half-time in a closely-fought semi-final, with the Bantams holding a slender advantage.

Both League Two semis are, in fact, closely poised with Stockport County also chasing a 1-0 deficit in their rematch with Salford City on Saturday.

There was not a single away win in any EFL play-off semi-final first leg games in all three divisions.

Carlisle must now get the better of a Bradford side who have not won at Brunton Park since 1985, but for whom a draw would be enough to clinch a place at Wembley.

Simpson says United can give themselves the best possible chance by repeating much of what they produced at Valley Parade – adding the obvious element that was missing.

“I think if we play the same level as we [did on Sunday], keep it solid at the back and keep the threats right, we've got enough energy, we've got enough legs, and we've got the firepower that we need to bring to the party on Saturday afternoon,” he said.