The stubborn refusal of Sheffield United to accept the bit part that fate had decreed for them appears increasingly likely to see them treading the biggest stage next season.
Having shed most of their better players, lost a chairman and fired a manager, they now somehow find themselves only 90 minutes shy of a place at Wembley with Premiership football in the offing. For Sunderland, though, tragi-comedy is becoming the recurring theme.
A Greek tragedy perhaps? Quite how United manoeuvred themselves into a winning position in this play-off semi-final first leg is something of a mystery given their rotten performance in a listless first half. Steve Thompson's side had shown precious little inclination to press forward until the Greek international Vassilis Borbokis emerged from his shell to make one goal and score another. And this from a tie which would have been lost had Nicky Summerbee displayed a tad more composure when confronted with a routine scoring chance in the 54th minute.
"One or two words were said at half-time and most were said by me," said Thompson, United's caretaker manager. "It wasn't a question of the players lacking passion - they always show that - but rather a lack of self-belief that we could actually beat Sunderland." Yet, after a much-improved second period, the Blades will travel to Wearside with the lead.
For that they should spare a word of thanks for Sunderland's potentially season-defining failing: occasional but costly lapses in defence.
The visiting goalkeeper Lionel Perez, having just demonstrated why Peter Reid should award him the new contract he craves, blocking smartly from Wayne Quinn moments after Summerbee's miss, then illustrated precisely why his wish may well go unfulfilled.
Borbokis's corner was curled in towards the far post, Perez remained rooted to his line and the Brazilian substitute Marcelo turned an easy shot home completely unchallenged. Nineteen minutes later Borbokis hit the middle of the net with a well-struck free-kick from 25 yards and again Perez was slow to react.
"I'm fairly confident about the second leg but the goals we're conceding are driving me crazy, absolutely mad," said Reid.
His team had deservedly taken the lead after only 16 minutes. Daniele Dichio fed Allan Johnston just inside the United half, the left-winger took the ball 30 yards forward and crossed into the area, Kevin Phillips strained his tiny frame to provide a headed touch and Kevin Ball unleashed a fine left-foot volley from the fringe of the area. It should have been enough.
Sheffield United: Tracey, Borbokis, Quinn, Ford, Sandford, Holdsworth, Saunders, Marker, Devlin, Taylor (Marcello 10), Hamilton. Subs Not Used: Morris, Dellas. Booked: Borbokis, Marker, Quinn. Goals: Marcello 57, Borbokis 76.
Sunderland: Perez, Holloway (Rae 67), Makin (Ord 45), Clark, Craddock, Williams, Summerbee, Ball, Dichio, Phillips, Johnston. Subs Not Used: Bridges. Booked: Phillips, Williams, Ball. Goals: Ball 17.
Referee: C R Wilkes (Gloucester).
