Former Millwall defender scores clinching goal to take Black Cats into Championship play-off final
The big defender, 25, rose highest to head a corner delivery in off the bar in the 122nd minute of the tie at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland drew 1-1 on the evening but won 3-2 on aggregate. They will face Sheffield United for a place in the Premier League.
Ballard received the man of the match award in both legs of the contest, as Coventry fought back from a 2-1 defeat in the first match to force extra time through an Ephron Mason-Clark equaliser.
Ballard’s header cannoned off the underside of the bar at the Stadium of Light to send the home fans into raptures and give the club the chance to secure their place in the Premier League for the first time since finishing bottom in the 2016-17 season.
“It is what dreams are made of,” said the Northern Ireland international. “It was just feeling like it was not going to be our day.
“All the lads were desperate to give the fans something to celebrate.
“The way the goal went in at the end, I have never seen something like it.”
Ballard made 33 appearances for Millwall while on loan from Arsenal during the 2021-22 season and scored one goal, a header from a Jed Wallace cross to equalise in a 1-1 draw at West Brom.
His spell with the club was marred by a knee injury which saw him sidelined for 12 games from December to February.
These injury troubles have recurred this season, with Ballard missing 26 games in all competitions this campaign as a result of several different injuries.
The opening leg against Coventry was his first start since picking up a hamstring injury against Hull City in late February.
PICTURE: ALAMY
