The story of the day as Sunderland held by Northampton Town to tee-up Lincoln City play-off tie
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Black Cats have already secured their spot in the top six and are guaranteed to finish in at least fifth, but could climb up to third should results go their way today.
And with a shot at promotion to the Championship ahead, boss Lee Johnson is keen to rack-up another positive result after last week’s encouraging showing at Plymouth Argyle.
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Hide AdSunderland could welcome back Aiden McGeady and Charlie Wyke with Johnson set to make big calls on the duo after they missed out last weekend. The likes of Tom Flanagan, Conor McLaughlin and Jake Vokins may also play some part.
Our team of writers will be in place at the Stadium of Light to bring you all the team news, match updates, analysis and reaction from today’s game.
FT: Sunderland AFC 1-1 Northampton Town (Winchester 87; Hoskins 84)
Key Events
- Sunderland welcome Northampton Town to the Stadium of Light in their final game of the regular League One season (12pm kick-off)
- The Black Cats are guaranteed a top five finish and will today discover their play-off opponents
- Lee Johnson could welcome back Aiden McGeady and Charlie Wyke
- SAFC XI: Burge; McLaughlin, Wright, O’Nien, Hume; Power, Scowen; Diamond, Jones, Gooch; Wyke
78 - WHAT A CHANCE!
Sunderland should be ahead here.
Jones drives forward and finds O’Brien, who then lays the ball back off for the Rangers loanee.
Spaces opens up for Jones and he tries the shot first-time, blazing over. He had time to take a touch there...
84 - GOAL NORTHAMPTON
The visitors are ahead.
Wright is booked for a foul on the edge of the box and Hoskins steps-up for the free-kick.
He drills his effort low and it takes a wicked deflection off Leadbitter and flies past Burge and in.
0-1 - and Sunderland down to fifth.
87 - GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLL! WINCHESTER!!
SUNDERLAND ARE LEVEL!
The goal owed much to fine work from Jones who drilled towards goal from a tight angle - with his strike coming off both posts before being forced home at the back post by Winchester.
His first goal for the Black Cats, and that lifts the side up to fourth for the time being.
1-1!
FT: SUNDERLAND 1-1 NORTHAMPTON
The spoils are shared here - and it’s Lincoln next up in the play-offs.
All that we await is the full-time result from Sincil Bank so we know if it’s home or away first...
Lee Johnson is speaking now...
Lee JohnsonI’m pleased we’ve got the second leg at home. I think it was a difficult game for us. We know we’re peaking next week, there were some pre-meditated changes we were always going to make. There was not enough penetrative action. It’s not the time to start tearing strips off people, it’s the time for us as staff to serve the players - they need to be completely honest about what they need.