Ballard the Hero as Sunderland Seal Dramatic Wembley Date with Sheffield United

Sunderland are through to the Championship play-off final after edging Coventry City in a tense semi-final second leg, setting up a Wembley showdown with Sheffield United.

Holding a narrow 2-1 lead from the first leg, the Black Cats were rocked when Ephron Mason-Clark levelled the tie, forcing extra time.

But with penalties looming, centre-back Daniel Ballard popped up with a late winner to send Sunderland through.

Sheffield United’s path was far smoother, thrashing Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate to book their place in the May 24 final.