Image source, Rex Features

Coming into this game, there weren't too many more teams in League One in better form than Doncaster Rovers.

Grant McCann's side have won four games in a row to keep their hold on the last play-off spot.

After Peterborogh's earlier 1-1 draw at Fleetwood, they have a four-point cushion over Posh in sixth place.

What's more, this evening's fixture could be a precursor for a possible play-off meeting next month between these two sides, so Donny will be desperate to put in a strong account of themselves in more ways than one.

They trail for now, but have shown some promise...

Was that a handball by Sunderland's James Dunne?

Ball seemed to brush his right hand as it bounced back up off the turf along his right leg.

Slight appeals by some of the surrounding Doncaster players, but nothing given...

Image source, Rex Features

After a frantic opening quarter, looks like things might have settled down a bit.

But Jon McLaughlin has to be brave to get his hands on the ball and away from danger for Sunderland as a fizzing ball comes in towards John Marquis.

Doncaster beginning to threaten more.

Doncaster looking for some time on the ball to get themselves a foothold in the game.

Mallik Wilks has been trying to get a way in down the right but Sunderland pounce on anything lose to put the pressure back on Rovers.

Sunderland searching for another goal here in the early stages and Luke O'Nien fancies emulating Lewis Morgan with a half-volley of his own.

Not on target on this occasion for the former Wycombe man as it sails away to the right of goal.

Just before that goal from Lewis Morgan there was a first moment of real concern for Sunderland when Alim Ozturk tangled with John Marquis on the edge of his own penalty box.

Nothing was given at the time but it looked to me like a definite foul.

The thin margins at this time of the season that promotion hopes and dream can turn on.

Hosts are bouncing now and Charlie Wyke surges forward on the counter from halfway, finding Aiden McGeady in support.

But his ball across the penalty area from the left is cut out by the covering Rovers defenders.

Image source, Getty Images

I finally managed to binge-watch the Sunderland 'till I Die series on Netflix in the past week.

While watching back their catastrophic tumble out of the Championship last season, it made me think, what a potential redemption story the second series could tell.

The producers, Sunderland fans themselves no less, could well get the chance to do so with the Black Cats right in the thick of the League One automatic promotion race with five games to go.

However there was a real emotional roller-coaster of a game last week for supporters to endure as they lost by the odd goal in nine against Coventry City in an incredible game that finished 5-4 to the Sky Blues.

This evening, the pressure is well and truly on to find a response after wins earlier for both Barnsley and Portsmouth.

A win would take them back to third on goal difference ahead of Pompey and two points behind Barnsley with a game in hand.

Sunderland off to a lively start as Bryan Oviedo's found some early space down that left wing.

Decent noise inside the Stadium of Light for this one. Hopefully referee Andy Woolmer will be able to hear his whistle over the noise.

• Leaders Lincoln lost at Carlisle 1-0 while Bury lost at Newport 2-1 to slip out of the automatic promotion places.
• Mansfield go second after a convincing 4-0 home win over Morecambe.
• MK Dons move into third in the table after beating Notts County 2-1 while Forest Green overcame Tranmere 1-0 as both sides remain in the play-off places.
• Macclesfield remain just above the relegation zone after losing 3-1 at Northampton
• Yeovil and Notts County both remain at the foot of the table after both losing to Crewe and MK Dons respectively.

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland manager Jack Ross makes four changes to the side that lost that epic home match against Coventry City last Saturday.

In come Aiden McGeady, Alim Ozturk, Jimmy Dunne and Lee Cattermole for Tom Flanagan, Grant Leadbitter, Will Grigg and Jack Baldwin.

Chris Maguire is also among their substitutes after a return from injury.

Grant McCann makes just the one change for Doncaster as Ben Whiteman returns to their side.

Sunderland XI: McLaughlin, Dunne, Ozturk, O’Nien, Oviedo, Cattermole, Power, Honeyman, Morgan, McGeady, Wyke.

Subs: Ruiter, Maguire, Gooch, Flanagan, Grigg, Leadbitter, Hume.

Doncaster XI: Marosi, Blair, Andrew, Downing, Butler, Whiteman, Kane, Rowe, Marquis, Coppinger, Wilks.

Subs: Jones, Anderson, Lewis, Crawford, Sadlier, May, Smith.

Our next game is just off and running at the Stadium of Light as these two top-six sides meet in the early evening north east sunshine....

• Bradford are relegated after suffering a seventh-straight defeat at Coventry before other results go against them
• Promotion-chasers Barnsley and Portsmouth both win to stay in the hunt
• Rochdale climb out of the relegation zone with win over Wycombe
• Walsall snatch late draw with Southend which leaves both sides deep in trouble
• Bristol Rovers come from behind to earn a point at AFC Wimbledon

• Bolton are relegated with with a 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa who strengthen their promotion chances with a ninth consecutive victory.
• Leeds are stunned at home by lowly WIgan, surrendering a 1-0 lead against ten men to lose 2-1. The Latics are now five points clear of the drop zone as third-from-bottom Rotherham lost a 4-3 thriller against Swansea.
• Sheffield United's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest earlier in the day and Leeds' failure to get a point means the Blades remain in the top two on goal difference .
• Middlesbrough go above Bristol City and into the final play-off spot with a 1-0 win over Stoke.
• West Brom are six points off the top two with three games left after a 3-2 home win over Hull.

Image source, .

Leeds' shock defeat by Wigan makes a massive difference at both ends of the table.

Sheffield United remain second following their win over Nottingham Forest earlier in the day, with Leeds now playing catch-up.

Meanwhile, the Latics, who began the day with the worst away record in the EFL, are now five points clear of the relegation zone after taking four points from Norwich and Leeds.

Image source, .

With the full-time whistles having gone, here's how the top and bottom of the Championship table looks...

Britt Assombalonga's goal is enough to earn Middlesbrough a win over Stoke which takes them into the play-off places at the expense of Bristol City, who drew earlier in the day.

Image source, Rex Features

A massive win for Wigan who are now five points clear of the relegation zone following their amazing win and Rotherham's 4-3 defeat against Swansea.

Paul Cook and the Latics coaching staff are dancing with joy on the Elland Road pitch.

Goals from Danny Graham and Bradley Dack made it three consecutive wins for Rovers at Loftus Road.