Ballard’s late header sends Sunderland to play-off final

With penalties looming, Dan Ballard scored a dramatic winner to guide Sunderland past Frank Lampard’s Coventry City in the Championship play-offs.

Sunderland will face Sheffield United in the play-off final after Ballard’s 123rd-minute header sealed their place at Wembley.

Having won 2-1 away in the first leg last Friday, Sunderland surrendered their advantage in Tuesday’s second leg at the Stadium of Light when Coventry’s Ephron Mason-Clark equalised on aggregate, forcing extra time.

However, with a penalty shootout approaching, centre-back Ballard powered Enzo Le Fée’s corner in off the crossbar, stunning Lampard’s visitors and sending the Black Cats through to the final on May 24.

A frantic first half saw chances at both ends, with Le Fée volleying off target for Régis Le Bris’ side, while Jack Rudoni fired over for Coventry.

Sunderland looked increasingly nervous in the second half as Coventry applied pressure. The breakthrough came in the 76th minute when Mason-Clark side-footed Milan van Ewijk’s cross into the bottom-right corner.

Coventry nearly won it in stoppage time, but Haji Wright headed wide from six yards out, allowing Sunderland to survive into extra time.

The hosts improved in the additional period and were finally rewarded in the final moments, Ballard stooping to head home Le Fée’s corner off the woodwork, sparking wild celebrations at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland will now meet Sheffield United at Wembley on May 24 to determine the final team promoted to the Premier League.