Oxford 1-2 Sunderland: Late Embleton winner keeps Sunderland in play-offs

Substitute Elliot Embleton's dramatic late winner kept Sunderland in the League One play-offs with a 2-1 win which put a severe dent in Oxford's own hopes of a top six finish.

Embleton's cool finish in the 89th minute proved the decisive moment after Sunderland skipper Corry Evans' opener had been cancelled out by Oxford counterpart Elliot Moore's header in the first half.

Oxford had the better of the second period but it was Sunderland who were more clinical and they handed Oxford their third straight defeat.

The home side had the first clear chance of the game as Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson tipped Mark Sykes' shot wide in the third minute.

Sunderland came even closer shortly afterwards when the Oxford defence failed to deal with a long ball. Only a desperate block from Luke McNally prevented Nathan Broadhead from giving Sunderland the lead.

There was no such escape for Oxford after 15 minutes, however. Jay Matete's free kick was blocked, but the ball fell to Evans, who reacted quickest to fire a low shot past Jack Stevens in the home goal.

Oxford gradually regrouped and were back level after 35 minutes when captain Elliot Moore powerfully headed home Billy Bodin's dangerous cross.

Karl Robinson's side started the second half brightly. Mark Sykes' teasing cross flashed across the box before Luke McNally's powerful long-range effort whistled past Anderson's post.

Oxford continued to look like the side more likely to score as the game passed the hour mark. Anderson produced a superb save to keep out Ciaron Brown's close-range header, before Bodin's free kick grazed the crossbar in the 75th minute.

Oxford were made to pay for their wastefulness one minute from time when Embleton confidently slotted home after being cleverly picked out by Stewart.

It was almost 3-1 straight from the kick-off. A shell-shocked Oxford defence immediately gave the ball away but Stevens reacted quickly to deny Stewart a goal of his own when clean through.

There was still time for more goalmouth action as Oxford pressed for an equaliser, but Bodin curled a shot narrowly wide and Patterson saved from Brannagan as Sunderland held on for an valuable three points.