The story of the night as Sunderland's promotion hopes severely dented after Lincoln City play-off defeat
and live on Freeview channel 276
Having finished the regular season in fourth place, the Black Cats will now face the Imps across two legs for a place in the final at Wembley on May 30.
Waiting beneath the arch will be either Blackpool or Oxford United, but Sunderland will have to navigate their way through a tough task before they can think about a trip to the national stadium.
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Hide AdTonight’s game at the LNER Stadium will see Lee Johnson welcome back a couple of key players, but Sunderland are also sweating on some other fitness concerns before the clash.
We’ll have the latest team news from the game right here – as well as match updates, analysis and reaction from the big game via our dedicated team of Sunderland AFC writers.
FT: Lincoln City 2-0 Sunderland AFC (Hopper 51, Johnson 77)
Key Events
- Sunderland travel to Sincil Bank in the first leg of their play-off semi-final this evening.
- The Black Cats are potentially three games away from a return to the Championship.
- Lee Johnson is set to select from nearly a full squad for the game.
- SAFC XI: Burge, Flanagan, Wright, Power, Wyke, Gooch, O’Nien, Scowen, Jones, McGeady, Hume
65 - CHANCE!
Sunderland come close to a leveller!
Jones breaks forward and finds McGeady in space on the left.
He cuts in onto his favoured right foot and curls towards goal - but the impressive Bursik gets a strong hand to it and keeps the effort out.
69 - A double change for Sunderland...
OFF: Jones, Power
ON: Leadbitter, Stewart
Looks like a 4-4-2 now for Sunderland.
71 - CHANCE!
Gooch gets away down the right and drills in a low cross.
Lincoln can’t clear fully and the lurking McGeady picks up the ball on the edge of the box.
You’d have backed him to hit the target, but the winger curled narrowly over.
76 - Wyke is put through on goal
A well-weighted pass from Stewart sets the striker away and through on goal.
His shot is poor and saved by Bursik, but the offside flag is up anyway.
77 - GOAL LINCOLN
It’s two.
Flanagan knocks the ball back to Burge and his clearance is charged down by Johnson - who then has the simple task of tapping the ball home from close range.
‘We are going up’ and ‘Que Sera Sera’ ringing around Sincil Bank at the moment.
0-2.
81 - CLOSE!
Almost a vital goal back for Sunderland.
Leadbitter has a go from distance and his shot takes a deflection which almost sees it arrow into the bottom corner - but the Imps can breathe a sigh of relief as the strike flashes just wide of the post.