Nathan Broadhead's goal booked Sunderland's play-offs - and set up a semi-final clash with Sheffield Wednesday. The victory meant the Black Cats finished fifth in the table, meaning they will take on the fourth-placed Owls over two legs, with the first game at the Stadium of Light on Friday night.
Broadhead's early strike was the difference between the sides at the Mazuma Stadium and it gave Sunderland the win they needed to ensure a top six finish under their own steam. Sunderland had chances to extend their lead, with Patrick Roberts going closest in the second half but he was denied by former Black Cats academy goalkeeper Trevor Carson.
But the single goal was enough and, in fact, Sunderland would have secured a play-off place even if they had lost, such were the other results. For Morecambe, results elsewhere meant they secured survival in the third tier despite this defeat and they finished sixth-bottom, two points above the relegation zone.
