Late Mayenda winner gives Cats advantage in semi-final first leg

ELIEZER Mayenda scored a late winner as Sunderland flipped the form book on its head to steal a march on Coventry in their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final.

- By PA SPORT STAFF

Despite finishing seven points ahead of their opponents, Sunderland’s form had flat-lined towards the end of the regular season with five successive defeats and just one goal in a six-game winless streak.

But after defending resolutely against a side they had lost 3-0 to in March, Sunderland were clinical on the counter-attack and Mayenda’s 87-minute goal gave the Black Cats a 2-1 victory.

Wilson Isidor had put Sunderland ahead after 68 minutes but while their opponents were level within 110 seconds thanks to Jack Rudoni, Mayenda had the final say at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Coventry had won seven of their last eight matches at home but they will now need to pick themselves up for Tuesday’s second leg at the Stadium of Light as they bid for a second play-off final in three years.