Justin Time strikes again. If Sunderland's recently acquired knack for scoring late goals was distilled into human form, Time would be the Black Cats' second-top scorer in the league.
His nine goals inside the final ten minutes over the last nine games have delivered 11 points to keep Sunderland on course for a play-off place. Without his contribution, Sunderland would be tenth in the table and facing a fifth season in League One.
In reality, of course, several players have taken on the Justin Time mantle over the last two months. Nathan Broadhead and Ross Stewart have both twice chipped in with late goals, while Elliot Embleton, Dan Neil, Patrick Roberts, Luke O'Nien, and Jack Clarke, have scored one apiece.
READ MORE: Alex Neil praises Sunderland's 'key' player following win against Shrewsbury
And on Good Friday it was Broadhead who was the hero, with his 92nd minute header enough to finally sink Shrewsbury Town.
"I didn't even celebrate the goal, if I'm honest, at the end," said Alex Neil.
It was the post-match take of a perfectionist, who was more concerned with the shortcomings of a 20-minute spell that cost his side a two-goal lead and which could have cost them the match. But if Neil kept his emotions in check, more than 30,000 in red and white at the Stadium of Light had no such qualms, with an explosion of joy and relief when Broadhead's header found the net.
Of course, Neil was exaggerating to make his point. He was as happy as anyone when the goal went in. What was gnawing away at him was the way his side allowed themselves to be 'beat up' for a 20 minute period extending from just before half-time until just after the hour, undoing the good work they had already put in.
Sunderland had taken command, with Embleton putting them in front with a fine strike inside the first five minutes and Broadhead doubling their lead before the quarter-hour mark. But instead of pressing home their advantage, they let Shrewsbury back into the game, with Josh Vela pulling a goal back just after half-time, before ex-Sunderland man Tom Flanagan volleyed them level shorly before the hour.
Sunderland had ceased winning headers, first or second balls, and were suddenly on the rack. Neil responded by sending on Corry Evans in place of Embleton in a bid to reassert some control in midfield and the move worked, with Sunderland spending the final 20 minutes laying siege to the Shrewsbury goal.
Stewart crashed a shot off the crossbar, and later brought a brilliant save out of keeper Marko Marosi, but as the game went into added time, it was still deadlocked. No-one leaves Sunderland game early to beat the traffic these days, though, and Broadhead's late goal showed why.
Sunderland remain firmly in the play-off hunt and head to the South Coast to face fellow contenders Plymouth on Easter Monday in a game that could have major ramifications for both clubs in the race for a top six place.
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