The Youth Cup Fifth Round tie at the Stadium of Light was also settled in extra time. Sunderland only had themselves to blame for the 2-1 defeat after missing a string of scoring opportunities.

Four good chances went begging in the first half alone before England Under-19 midfielder Grant Leadbitter fired the home side in front midway through the second period.

Sunderland looked to be on course for a quarter-final spot at that point - but Crewe upset the apple cart by forcing in an equaliser with just two minutes left. James Fletcher, recently introduced as a substitute, drifted over a corner and two players combined to turn the ball over the line. Ben Christensen may have got the final touch.

Then the lads from Gresty Road snatched the win in extra time against the shell-shocked Black Cats. Michael O’Connor was tripped by Lewis Dodds inside the box on 98 minutes and Kyle Wilson stepped up to net from the spot.

Crewe now host Swindon Town in the Sixth Round and the other ties - which are scheduled to be played by 6th March - are Tranmere Rovers v Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United and West Ham United v Aston Villa.

A repeat of last season’s Final, Manchester United v Middlesbrough, is still a possibility.