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.
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Alex Neil made three changes to the side that started the midweek draw against Rotherham on Wearside.
Alex Pritchard, Elliot Embleton, and Roberts came into the side, with Callum Doyle, Jay Matete, and Trai Hume making way.
Morecambe boss Derek Adams made two changes, in his case to the side that lost at MK Dons last weekend.
Aaron Wildig and Ryan Cooney replaced Toumani Diagouraga and Greg Leigh.
Sunderland made the perfect start, taking the lead inside the first ten minutes to steady any nerves.
Corry Evans' throughball split the home defence, releasing Broadhead through the middle and he raced into the box before steering his finish beyond Carson into the bottom right-hand corner.
Morecambe created a couple of half-chances but were unable to test Anthony Patterson, with Adam Phillips blazing the best of those chances way over the bar.
Sunderland suffered a major blow just after the midway point in the first period when goalscorer Broadhead went down with an injury and he limped off to be replaced by Jack Clarke.
After that, the first half began to peter out with neither side able to fashion a clear-cut goalscoring opportunity.
When Sunderland got in and around the penalty area, invariably their final pass went astray and the move broke down.
At the other end, the back three of Bailey Wright, Danny Batth and Luke O'Nien kept Morecambe dangerman Cole Stockton under control.
In the second half, Ross Stewart saw a shot deflected behind after good work down the left from Clarke.
And 20 minutes from time, Carson made an excellent block to deny Roberts after he had been put through by Pritchard's cute pass.
A couple of minutes later, Carson made a good stop to turn a long-range shot from Roberts round the post.
Sunderland could not get the second goal that would have killed the game, but in the end one goal was enough.
How they lined up
Sunderland: Patterson, Wright, Batth, O'Nien, Gooch, Evans, Embleton, Roberts, Pritchard (Neil 82), Broadhead (Clarke 26), Stewart (Matete 73). Subs not used: Hoffmann, Xhemajli, McGeady, Hume
Booked: Matete
Morecambe: Carson, Cooney, Bennett, Bedeau, Gibson, Phillips, Fane (Diagouraga 72), Wildig, Connolly (Obika 84), Stockton, Gnahoua (Ayunga 68). Subs not used: Smith, O'Connor, McLoughlin, McCalmont
Booked: Phillips, Wildig, Stockton, Cooney
Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey)
Attendance: 5,841
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