Sunderland U23 1-1 Stoke City Sunderland Under-23s secured a place in the Premier League 2 second division play-offs after a 1-1 draw with Stoke City at the Academy of Light. Josh Hawkesâ free kick put the young Lads ahead with six minutes to play, before Tom Sparrow immediately equalised for the visitors â however, Elliott Dickmanâs side stood firm to consolidate the crucial point. The draw sees us leapfrog Middlesbrough into fifth spot, setting up another contest with second-placed Stoke down in Staffordshire for a one-legged play-off semi-final. Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Crystal Palace in the second semi-final, with dates to be confirmed.