Sunderland suffered play-off agony as they lost 2-0 at Luton Town to miss out on a Wembley appearance and a potential promotion to the Premier League. The Black Cats had taken a 2-1 aggregate lead to Kenilworth Road after Saturday's first leg at the Stadium of Light.
But Gabe Osho scored from a set-piece to put Luton ahead on the night and level the tie overall after only ten minutes. And Luton skipper Tom Lockyer scored his side's second goal just before half-time to edge Luton ahead on aggregate.
Sunderland had no answer to Luton's aerial bombardment, but boss Tony Mowbray will still take pride in a fine season after finishing sixth on the club's return to the Championship. As for Luton, they will go forward to the play-off final on Saturday week, where they will meet either Middlesbrough or Coventry City, who meet at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow for the second leg of their semi-final.
READ MORE: Sunderland's promotion dream is over after Black Cats' play-off semi-final defeat at Luton Town
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 5
No chance with the goals but had some nervy moments and his distribution was poor at times
Trai Hume 6
Made some crucial clearances including one off the line in the first half, but had a tough night against Luton's giant forwards
Luke O'Nien 6
Also made a goalline clearance, and had to battle and scrap against far more physical opponents
Lynden Gooch 6
Gave his all on the left side of the back three
Patrick Roberts 6
Pushed back and had to defend for most of the game, which is not his forte
Dan Neil 7
Strong in the middle of the park and gave nothing away
Pierre Ekwah 7
Didn't reach the heights he achieved on Saturday, but was still one of Sunderland's better players
Jack Clarke 5
Did not see enough of the ball and, when he did, he didn't do enough with it
Amad 6
Well-shackled for the most part by the Luton defence
Alex Pritchard 5
Not at his best, but this really was not his type of game
Joe Gelhardt 5
Worked hard but for little reward
Subs
Aji Alese 6
For Pritchard 57mins. Returned after two months' out injured, and did OK in the final half-hour
Edouard Michut 6
For Gelhardt 64mins. A few neat touches as Sunderland tried to get some control in midfield, but it only worked to a limited degreee
Niall Huggins N/A
For Gooch 77mins.
Abdoullah Ba N/A
For Neil 77mins.
Not used: Bass, Lihadji, Anderson
READ NEXT
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- Tony Mowbray backs Sunderland to keep their scoring run going and pile play-off pressure on Luton
- Attack is the best form of defence for Sunderland says Tony Mowbray ahead of Luton play-off clash
- Alex Pritchard's message to Sunderland supporters as Black Cats look to book Wembley appearance
- Second play-off semi-final delicately poised as Middlesbrough and Coventry City draw a blank
