Tale of two headers - drama at the Stadium of Light

The most dramatic finale imaginable

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"Pandemonium." That was Sky Sports summariser Jobi McAnuff's reaction as the Stadium of Light erupted when Dan Ballard's header crashed down off the crossbar and into the net to send Sunderland to Wembley.

After 122 minutes of tense, gripping foot-ball, the Championship semi-final between Sunderland and Coventry City appeared to be headed for penalties.

Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris admitted he was beginning to formalise a list of players to take his side's spot-kicks.

Yet Ballard's stooping header, to draw the hosts level 1-1 on the night, put them 3-2 up on aggregate with just seconds remaining.

"I was just so determined, I can't remember what happened, it just happened like that - some feeling that," Ballard told Sky Sports immediately after the game.

"It's what dreams are made of really. The fans today were absolutely incredible.

"It was just feeling like it wasn't going to be our day and all the lads were desperate to try to give them something to celebrate."

Team-mate Luke O'Nien said he was "lost for words".