SUNDERLAND have one foot in the Premiership after Carlos Edwards' late 30-yard strike capped a thrilling 3-2 win over Burnley.
If Derby lose at Crystal Palace tomorrow Roy Keane's men will be promoted just 10 months after they left the Premiership with the lowest points total ever.
Sunderland went ahead early on through Darryl Murphy but a penalty from Andy Gray and a stunning 35 yard shot by Wade Elliott handed Burnley a shock lead in front of 44,448, the highest Championship crowd of the season.
Keane's side roared back when Edwards was up-ended in the box and David Connolly converted the spot kick. With time running out, Sunderland looked to have been held back in the title race, only for Edwards to fire home a stunning right-foot shot 10 minutes from time which means a win at Luton Town next week will also secure promotion for the Wearsiders.
Keane said: "The pressure is back on Birmingham City and Derby now. I won't be watching the games over the weekend as I'll be with my family but they have got to catch us now.
"That game summed up our season. We showed character and desire and on top of that a bit of skill. I said a few prayers on the sidelines and although I was disappointed with the goals we conceded I was delighted with the players' response.
"They're different class. I was confident they'd bounce back from the defeat at Colchester and they dug deep and pulled through."
Former Sunderland stars Andy Gray and Steve Caldwell returned to the Stadium of Light and Burnley boss Steve Cotterill also made the emotional journey to the North-east after 18 unhappy months on Wearside as Howard Wilkinson's assistant.
Connolly went close a couple of times and Edwards was denied by Brian Jensen before the keeper was finally beaten, with Connolly delivering an inch-perfect cross from the left for Murphy to convert.
The Burnley goal led a charmed life and, when referee Trevor Kettle awarded a 21stminute penalty, after Connolly was upended at the near post by Wayne Thomas' clumsy challenge, Jensen's fine save kept out Connolly's spot-kick.
Sunderland were made to pay as the visitors drew level with their first real attack six minutes before half-time. Eric Djemba-Djemba's pass found Elliott, who was clipped by keeper Darren Ward. TV replays suggested some doubt but Kettle again pointed to the spot and Gray stroked home his 14th league goal this season.
The second half started with a bang as Elliott picked the ball up in mid-pitch and unleashed a fantastic shot past Ward from 35 yards to hand the visitors an unlikely lead. But the advantage lasted barely four minutes as Liam Miller found the dangerous Edwards, who danced around Jon Harley and was up-ended by Jensen.
Connolly picked his spot and converted his 12th goal of the season before Edwards earned the points in memorable style.
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