Frank Lampard's Coventry suffer major Championship playoff blow as opponents Sunderland make crafty change at the Stadium of Light to prevent key tactic in semi-final second leg

Sunderland have brought their advertising hoardings closer to the pitch at the Stadium of Light to hinder Coventry City's long-throw tactics in their second leg in the Championship playoffs on Tuesday night. Right-back Milan van Ewijk has caused havoc with his deliveries from the touchline but talkSPORT claim the hoardings have been brought in by two metres to stop the defender building up too much momentum.

Lampard has enjoyed a successful stint in charge of Coventry since taking over in November, leading the Sky Blues to a finish of fifth. However, they have a first-leg deficit to overturn if they are to make the playoff final, having suffered a late 2-1 defeat to Sunderland in the first leg.

It was a blunder from Van Ewijk that allowed Sunderland to take a late lead on Friday night. After setting up Coventry's equaliser with a clipped cross, the Dutchman rolled the ball straight into the path of Eliezer Mayenda, who rounded goalkeeper Ben Wilson to net a 94th-minute winner.

The winner of this semi-final will take on Sheffield United at Wembley later this month. The Blades made extremely light work of Bristol City with a 6-0 aggregate victory.