Sunderland booked their place in the Championship play-off final with a last gasp aggregate win over Frank Lampard’s Coventry City.
Dan Ballard’s goal in the final moments of extra time saw the Black Cats secure a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light, booking their place at Wembley by winning 3-2 on aggregate.
A goal by Ephron Mason-Clark saw the Sky Blues win the match after the 90 minutes, sending the semi-final tie to extra time after Sunderland won the first leg 2-1.
It looked set to be determined by a dreaded penalty shootout but Ballard turned a corner home with a combination of his head and his body in stoppage time at the end of extra time to settle matters.
Ballard’s heroics sparked ecstasy among the Sunderland faithful, with some fans even making their way onto the pitch once the full-time whistle was blown.
Regis Le Bris’ men are now one win away from a return to the Premier League, where they will face Sheffield United in the capital on May 24.
