 With a man advantage after Peterborough had Ken Charlery sent off for a second bookable offence, Paul Abrahams scored the golden goal that would put the Essex side through to the Wembley national final.The match between Carlisle United and Colchester United would be the 30th competitive match between the two sides, and their first meeting in the competition.As league rivals, Carlisle had beaten Colchester 3–0 at Brunton Park the same season on 1 October 1996, but were held to a 1–1 draw on 18 January 1997 at Layer Road.