Sunderland to face Sheffield challenge for place in English Premier League

Sunderland reached the Championship play-off final in the most dramatic fashion as Dan Ballard’s goal in the dying seconds of extra-time sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory against Coventry on Tuesday.Regis Le Bris’ side trailed to Ephron Mason-Clark’s goal late in the second half of the semi-final second leg.

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But, with a penalty shoot-out moments away, Ballard headed home in stoppage-time to earn a 1-1 draw and spark wild celebrations from over 46,000 fans packed into the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland will face Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley on May 24.

United finished in third place, 14 points clear of fourth-placed Sunderland in the regular season, with both teams winning one against each other this season.

Sunderland’s bid to return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence -- a dark period that has included a spell in the third tier -- remains alive.

But Le Bris’ men will have to improve significantly on a nervous display that nearly gifted a place in the final to Coventry.

"It's really fantastic because this scenario was absolutely incredible. We were probably too nervous for the first part of the game,” Le Bris said.