FINALRUNON PADDYPOWER
PADDY ROBERTS came back to haunt Sheffield Wednesday for the second time in a year and send Sunderland to Wembley.
The former Celtic hero popped up inside the six yard box with just seconds left after Lee Gregory had cancelled out Ross Stewart’s first-leg strike.
The Black Cats will now face Wycombe on May 21 for promotion to the Championship.
It’s an incredible finish to the season for Roberts, who started the season on loan at Troyes in the French top flight from Manchester City.
But from Ligue 1 to League One and just like he did at Parkhead, the 25-year-old has now made himself a hero among fans.
Roberts struck against Wednesday for Derby on the final day of last season to relegate them from the Championship.
And he broke their hearts again when he netted the decisive goal at Hillsborough after a brave fightback by the home side.
Sunderland remain on course to end their play-off hoodoo at the seventh attempt under specialist Alex Neil, who was victorious in his two previous efforts with Hamilton and Norwich.
Roberts said: “The goal came at a good time. I’ve had a few opportunities in the last few weeks. We had the energy to get up the pitch, I put it on target. What a time to do it.
“We kept believing and kept going.
“We had to dig in and find that extra bit of energy. Thankfully we had that in the end. We’re delighted.”
Barry Bannan was Wednesday’s chief weapon while George Byers forced Anthony Patterson into a save with an overhead kick when Sunderland failed to clear one of his corners.
The Owls skipper then sent in a free-kick for Harlee Dean to head over.
Scotland ace Bannan conjured up the opener in the 74th minute when he played an exquisite ball to Marvin Johnson on the left and his cross was tucked away by Gregory.
But with extra-time looming, Sunderland delivered the killer blow when Jack Clarke teed up Roberts to tuck home.
Gaffer Neil said: “It was a difficult game. We switched off and it cost us.
“That was disappointing as we were excellent but I knew what my team were capable of. The reaction was terrific.”