30 years on: Promotion despite Wembley defeat
They wouldn’t stop Sunderland’s march to Wembley, though, as the Black Cats headed to the capital to take on Swindon on May 28, 1990.
For Bennett, who led the side out in front of a crowd of over 72,000, it was special day for more than one reason.
“People always say I was the first black captain to lead out a league club at Wembley. I’m not sure whether it’s true or not, but leading Sunderland out was a fantastic honour and nobody can take that moment away from me.”
Sunderland were confident of reclaiming a place in the top tier. They had already beaten Swindon during the regular season and were considered favourites in many quarters - but the Robins had other ideas.
Managed by Argentine Ossie Ardilles, Swindon implemented a brand of fluid football that Sunderland couldn’t cope with.
“They completely bamboozled us,” says Armstrong.
“To be fair to them, they should have won more comfortably. If it wasn’t for Tony Norman, they would have."
It was Bennett who ultimately helped beat the imperious Norman, and hand the Robins victory, as he inadvertently deflected Alan McLoughlin’s strike past the Welsh shot-stopper.
It was the least Swindon deserved.
Things could have been different, though. Twice in the early stages did Sunderland come close – first a Gates cross was inches away from being turned home by Gabbiadini, before the same man fired wide from inside the area.
It was soon the Robins who settled into their rhythm, and they began to boss the game.
Steve White twice sent efforts narrowly over the bar from the edge of the area, before seeing his shot from a tight angle trickle along the line before being hacked away to safety by Bennett.
The pressure eventually told with 25 minutes on the clock, with McLaughlin’s strike proving decisive. Indeed, had it not been for stopper Tony Norman – who made a string of spectacular saves to keep out Swindon, and in particular the lively White – Sunderland could have been faced with a bigger margin of defeat.
“We didn’t turn up,” adds Bennett.
“We never got going. They played three at the back and we couldn’t deal with their system.
“We were lucky to be beaten 1-0.”
There were few complaints on the day, with the Black Cats completely overawed.
“They deserved to win,” admits Armstrong.
“But suddenly, everything changed.”
Weeks later, after an extended Football League investigation, Swindon were denied promotion after being found guilty of a number of financial irregularities.
Sunderland, therefore, would take their place in the top flight - not Newcastle, who had finished third that season.
The Black Cats we’re back in the big time, albeit by unconventional means.
*Rangers have exercised their right to sign Ianis Hagi on a permanent deal, according to Belgian club Genk.
The Romania midfielder joined Gers on loan in the winter transfer window with the Ibrox club holding an exclusive right to buy the 21-year-old.
And Genk revealed on their official website that Hagi would definitely be joining the Light Blues.
"We wish Ianis the best of luck in his future career," a statement read. Hagi scored three goals in 12 appearances for Rangers before the coronavirus pandemic halted the season.