Ex-Sheffield Wednesday striker lays out Owls challenge after Sunderland play-off heartache

Clinton Morrison has challenged Sheffield Wednesday to come back stronger next season after falling short in the League One play-offs. The Owls' semi-final with Sunderland appeared to be heading for extra-time after Lee Gregory restored parity in the tie in the 74th minute after turning in Marvin Johnson's cross.

But Wednesday were hit with a late sucker-punch as Patrick Roberts' goal earned the Black Cats a 2-1 aggregate victory and booked a meeting with Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley on May 21. The result means the Owls face a second successive year in the second tier.

Speaking on Sky Sports last night, former Owls and Birmingham City striker Morrison said: "He [Moore] will be disappointed because, we have said it many times, that clubs like Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland should not be in this league. But you have to earn the right to get out of this league and Sunderland did that tonight.

Sheffield Wednesday suffer play-off heartache again as Sunderland set up Wycombe Wanderers final

"Over the course of the season, I think if they had all of those players fit they might have been able to finish in the top two. He has had to deal with a lot of injuries and there was big pressure on Darren Moore at times. I think he has handled the pressure. He is a fantastic manager.

"He will bounce back next season, hopefully add to the squad and they will go again next season. They finished in the play-offs because they were not good enough to be one of the top two. They have to regroup and go again next season."

Moore was left cursing two defensive lapses in concentration as the Owls missed out on a trip to Wembley. He said: “My concern for me is for my players because they’re gutted in there.

“I’m really disappointed for