Promotion rivals Luton, Barnsley and Portsmouth all picked up victories on Saturday to add pressure to Sunderland in the race for automatic promotion.
It remains in Sunderland's hands with two games in hand over their rivals, but wins for the trio just added pressure to Jack Ross' side who have some tricky fixtures coming up - eight of which are in April.
Barnsley kicked the day off with a 1-0 victory at Walsall. In truth they were somewhat fortunate to head into stoppage time with the scoreline still at 0-0 after the hosts squandered a number of chances. But the Tykes made them pay with Jacob Brown's goal coming in the 92nd minute and moving them five points clear of the Black Cats in second.
Meanwhile, Sunderland's hopes of winning the League One title seem to be evaporating quickly as Luton beat Doncaster 4-0 to extend the gap between themselves and the Wearsiders to ten points.
On paper, Donny were Luton's toughest opponents left to play and the manner of the victory for Mick Harford's side establishes them as clear favourites to go on and lift the league title.
And just to further ramp up the pressure, Portsmouth leapfrogged Ross' side into third place after their 2-0 win at Shrewsbury. They're one point ahead of Sunderland now, albeit having played two games more.
The two sides of course clash next weekend at Wembley in the Checkatrade Trophy final and also still have to meet at the Stadium of Light in a league fixture.
With Sunderland at Wembley and therefore not in league action next weekend, Luton and Barnsley will get another chance to put distance between themselves and Sunderland. By the time the cup final kicks off, Sunderland could be eight points away from automatic promotion.
And while winning their games in hand would move them second, the results today just add pressure to Sunderland to have to do that. No slip ups can be afforded.
In more positive news, Sunderland's return to league action will come three days after the Wembley final when they travel to Accrington a week on Wednesday. Today, Stanley squandered a two goal lead against Burton Albion, losing 5-2 in the end.
All in all though, even when not playing, Saturday turned in to a bad day for Sunderland.
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