Sunderland legend Gary Bennett hails Alex Neil for ending years of Wembley play-off pain

Former Sunderland legend Gary Bennett hailed manager Alex Neil for finally ending the Black Cats' Wembley play-off final hoodoo. Bennett was a member of the first Sunderland side that tasted play-off anguish at the national stadium against Swindon in 1990 when Alan McLoughlin’s shot deflected off him to decide a 1-0 defeat,

And, although Denis Smith's men subsequently went up to the top flight anyway due to the Wiltshire side being found guilty of making illegal payments to players, the game was subsequently followed by two further agonising trips to the capital for gut-wrenching one-off promotion contest losses.

In 1998, the club were denied a place in the top-flight by Charlton on penalties and, three years ago, the Addicks piled on the misery again following a 2-1 defeat under the arch in the League One final.

Bennett, who also suffered Wembley defeat with Sunderland in the 1985 Milk Cup final against Norwich and in the 1992 FA Cup final at the hands of Liverpool, was understandably delighted, therefore, to witness Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart goals see off Wycombe 2-0 this afternoon.

Now 60, the former Roker Park favourite told BBC Radio Newcastle: "We have waited so long to see Sunderland win at Wembley. They deserved to win today.

"The last 15 to 16 matches we have seen since Alex Neil took over, it's been an unbelievable turnaround. I fancied Sunderland in the play-offs because the pressure was off them.

"They weren't favourites in the betting to win them. Sheffield Wednesday was a difficult game and, if they weren't going to win it, it was going to be MK Dons."

Marco Gabbiadini, who also played in that defeat to Swindon 32 years ago, added that he felt former boss Lee Johnson deserved a share of the credit