Corry Evans captained Sunderland back to the Championship as they beat Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 at Wembley in the League One play-off final.

Evans left Rovers after nine years, and 220 appearances last summer, to join Sunderland where he has been a fixture of the side which won promotion back to the Championship after four years in League One.

The Black Cats finally won a play-off campaign at the seventh time of asking thanks to goals in either half from Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart, meaning they join Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United in winning promotion to the second tier.

Wycombe's quest for an instant return to the second tier was denied, with Blackburn-born Gareth Ainsworth missing out on the chance to make it two play-off final wins in the space of two years.

Sunderland led in the 12th minute as the recalled Embleton’s shot found a way beyond David Stockdale.

Alex Neil’s side continued to look the more likely and Stewart forced Stockdale into a save, while Alex Pritchard had another effort that was straight at the Wycombe goalkeeper.

Sunderland had been penned back in the early exchanges of the second half but had the perfect chance to give themselves some breathing space in the 51st minute.

Pritchard, involved in everything Sunderland did, whipped in an inviting cross for Stewart, who put his header just wide.

Wycombe’s best chance came on the hour mark as Bailey Wright misjudged Anthony Stewart's long ball, allowing Sam Vokes to close in on goal, but he could not get the ball out from under his feet quickly enough and goalkeeper Anthony Patterson rushed out to make a big save.

That was an important moment as Sunderland were able to make sure of promotion 19 minutes later.

Pritchard was again involved, teeing-up Stewart to fire home into the bottom corner from the edge of the season for his 26th goal of the season.

Rovers and Sunderland will now be in the same division for the first time since 2011/12, with their last win at the Stadium of Light coming in the league cup in November 2008.

Take out a subscription...

Gain unlimited access to the Lancashire Telegraph website with a premium digital subscription with a one month FREE trial