Crystal Palace 1-2 Sunderland U23
An incredible finale in South London saw Sunderland Under-23s claim all three points against Crystal Palace in the Premier League 2 on Monday afternoon.
Will Harris' double turned a lively encounter right on its head in the dying stages for the young Lads, after Anthony Patterson's crucial penalty save from Alfie Matthews had kept Palace's initial lead to a single goal.
Jake O'Brien's header from a left-sided corner tilted the game Palace's way with 13 minutes to go, but a valiant fightback from Elliott Dickman's side helped produce a stunning result in the capital.
Dickman's team weathered a storm from the hosts in the first half and fought to keep the contest goalless, threatening more going forward as the match wore on after the break.
Shaun Derry's Palace started with a strong line-up which included Connor Wickham and Martin Kelly, and the towering striker caused several problems early in the contest with a number of chances. A header wide presented the best shout, whilst Patterson was on hand to deny both he and Jack Wells-Morrison.
Patterson was also helped by his defensive line, with Brandon Taylor denying Wickham with the game's first move and Ryan Wombwell making a smart challenge to deny the lively Harlem Hale on the brink of half-time.
Harris and Stephen Wearne each fired off target for the Lads in the first half, with Danny Greenfield showing his ability on numerous occasions - two shots after the break coming close. Firstly, a tidy touch from Nathan Newall's long pass saw him cut in and fire wide, before a low drive inside the area tested Oliver Webber.
A now-even clash saw both sides punt for all three points, and it looked as if the persistence would pay off for Palace when imposing centre-half O'Brien executed a firm header into the top corner as he met James Taylor's whipped set-piece delivery.
Immediately following the goal, Derry's side were handed the opportunity to wrap up the result, when substitute Victor Akinwale was brought down by centre-half Taylor right on the 18-yard line. The referee deemed the foul to be inside the penalty area, but Matthews' right-footed shot was kept out with a gusto by the outstretched Patterson, down to his right.
The stopper would then pass the baton to Harris - with a minute to go of normal time, the striker first received Wearne's lay-off and rocketed an effort in off the bottom-corner stanchion from 15 yards, a worthy equalising goal.
But the Lads dug out one better, and it was the number nine once more from closer range, smashing a clinical strike across Webber and into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 in the fourth minute of five added on - sparking wild celebrations for the Black Cats.
Palace were shell-shocked after dominating significant spells of the game, but were left with no time to create a further chance as the late smash-and-grab worked wonders for Dickman's side.
SUNDERLAND: Patterson, Wombwell, B. Taylor, Almond, Newall, E. Taylor, Wilding, Hackett, Wearne, Greenfield, Harris.
Subs: Beaumont, Bond, Kelly, Chapman.