Ballard, who was immense over both legs for the Black Cats, sent Sunderland to Wembley with his 122nd minute header.
Sunderland’s first leg advantage was wiped out when Ephron Mason-Clark put Coventry ahead on the night in the second leg 14 minutes from time.
Frank Lampard’s visitors were the better team over the course of the 90 minutes but Sunderland improved in extra-time after the introduction of Romaine Mundle.
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And they moved to within 90 minutes of the Premier League and set up a play-off final against Sheffield United when Ballard met Enzo Le Fee’s corner.
Afterwards, Ballard said: “It’s what dreams are made of. The fans today were absolutely incredible.
“It was just feeling like it wasn’t going to be our day. All the lads were desperate to give the lads something to celebrate. What a dramatic finale – stuff dreams are made of.
“Romaine got in the way and I got up too early! Then I can’t remember what happened. It’s some feeling.”
