"It was a game that had everything," he added. "There was a power cut, delays, tackles, goals disallowed, bookings and a referee that seemed to lose his way right at the end.
"I wasn't sure we would have any players left on the pitch the way he was going on."
Preston had been favourites to go through after claiming a draw at Elland Road in the first leg last Friday, the PA announcer even going so far as to rather presumptiously threaten the home fans with "not being able to attend the play-off final if anyone is caught invading the pitch after the final whistle".
The confident home fans, who seconds earlier had rather prematurely been chanting "we are superior", were stunned to see their side concede at Deepdale for the first time in 568 minutes.
To illustrate the prize at stake last night, the Leeds fans were able to taunt their Preston counterparts with a chant of 'we're off to Manchester, you're off to Colchester' as they left Deepdale in a joyous mood.
Meanwhile, Crainey said: "I think we're going to appeal the second (yellow card). I spoke to the referee and he said that he'll have a look at it so fingers crossed that common sense prevails and I can make the final.
"Obviously it would be a big disappointment if I missed out but the main thing is that we're there and hopefully with one final push we can make it to the Premiership."