Dan Ballard propelled Sunderland into the Championship play-off final with a dramatic extra-time header, shattering Coventry City’s Wembley ambitions in the dying moments at the Stadium of Light.

The central defender struck in the third minute of stoppage time, beyond the 120-minute mark, making it 1-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate to seal Regis Le Bris' side a showdown with Sheffield United on Saturday 24 May.

Ephron Mason-Clark’s 76th-minute volley had earlier brought Frank Lampard’s Coventry level on aggregate, finally breaching the Black Cats’ dogged resistance to the dismay of the 46,530-strong home crowd. But just as penalties loomed, Sunderland found salvation in the most dramatic fashion.

With the LED advertising boards unusually close to the pitch—perhaps a strategic move considering Milan van Ewijk’s long-throw prowess—the match began in a thunderous atmosphere, further heightened by the club’s announcement that the West Stand would be named after 1973 FA Cup-winning goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery.

In a lively opening, Mason-Clark tested Anthony Patterson with a powerful 17th-minute strike, while at the other end, Ben Wilson had to be at full stretch to deny Eliezer Mayenda after the forward superbly turned Matt Grimes and surged goalwards.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto dragged a shot wide after a Grimes corner had been cleared, while Jack Rudoni miscued in front of goal following a poorly dealt Grimes free-kick. Sakamoto then fired over from Rudoni’s cut-back, and Rudoni himself missed the target again from Mason-Clark’s header, as a wide-open first half ended with the tie finely balanced.

Coventry resumed brightly, with Sakamoto’s 52nd-minute effort from a Grimes corner blocked, and Van Ewijk lashing the rebound wide. Although Patrick Roberts scuffed a harmless effort shortly after, the visitors continued to pose the greater threat.

Sunderland's defence grew increasingly nervy, though Trai Hume nearly restored calm when his 67th-minute volley, from a Luke O'Nien cross, was expertly kept out at the near post by Wilson.

As the Black Cats retreated deeper, they were punished with 14 minutes remaining. Van Ewijk's cross found Mason-Clark, who volleyed home via the post to level the tie.

In extra time, Romaine Mundle saw his effort cleared off the line by Josh Eccles, but Sunderland refused to relent. From Enzo Le Fée’s corner in the dying seconds, Ballard rose to power a header off the underside of the crossbar, clinching a dramatic victory and keeping alive their hopes of ending an eight-year absence from the Premier League.