Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore was left 'gutted' by Sunderland's late equaliser which sent the Black Cats through to the League One play-off final. Patrick Roberts' goal in injury-time levelled the game at 1-1 on the night, meaning Alex Neil's side won 2-1 on aggregate.
The game was heading for extra-time after Lee Gregory had put the hosts 1-0 up in the second half, but the late stunner left Wednesday with little time to reply. Sunderland will now face Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley on May 21, while Moore was left to pick up the pieces of his dejected squad.
Moore was pleased with the effort from his players despite the result, and felt his side had the better chances. And he said Sunderland's goal came against the run of play with the Black Cats 'not creating too much' over the tie.
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"When we all arrived here, we set about them from the word go," Moore told YorkshireLive. "It was a much better performance tonight. We closed the spaces down and didn't allow them to get any real momentum in the game. We got back into the game and scored a great goal. It looked like the impetus and momentum was with us.
"We didn't see what happened at the end coming and conceding a goal like that in the magnitude of the game. We conceded a goal like that in the first game. I am gutted for the players. They are really gutted that we have gone out of the play-offs and it is the end of the journey for this season.
"When you look at their clear-cut chances, they came right at the end. They were long range efforts. The only one I remember is Patrick Roberts cutting in and hitting it. We had more of the half chances without a doubt. We got back into the game at 1-1. We cracked the shell. Greggors scored a great goal. It was great movement from Marvin off the back shoulder. It was a great goal and there was real momentum with us.
"The goal came against the run of play and that is the disappointing thing to concede at such a late stage when the players have put so much effort into it. I have got no complaints with the effort and the endeavour of the boys and the fans will have witnessed that."
As in the first leg, Sunderland's goal came from some poor defensive play from Wednesday, and Moore admitted it was that which cost his side. But he also had praise for the Black Cats' performance.
"When I look at both games, you couldn't really split the two teams," he added. "Sunderland played well. They were gritty, determined and plucky. I thought we started to grind them down towards the end of the game.
"When their goal came, it was against the run of play. We had chances and chances. We just weren't getting on the end of them. When you concede a goal like that, it is very disappointing and it gives them a lift. When I look at the 180 minutes, they were two really tight games and we move on.
"When you look at both goals in the two legs, they were avoidable from our point of view. That's a disappointing thing. There have been far too many positives in terms of this club healing itself on and off the pitch, which is what we wanted to do this season. We wanted to take it further because the momentum is with us. Sometimes in football you don't get what you deserve.
"Looking back, was there much I’d change? They were two tight games. I’d change the two elementary lapses in concentration… I’d change those things. But over the course of it, no, I wouldn’t change much. I wish we could’ve got into more threatening positions and got the final touch on the ball.
"When you look back over 180 minutes, they didn’t create too much. There wasn’t that much in it. It’s tough one to take now - and in a few days I don’t think the hurt will have gone away, but what it will do is make me lift my head and look over the course of the season and go from there."
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