Greece international Vas Borbokis put Sheffield United on course for Wembley and a place in the Division One play-off final today.

The £500,000 summer signing from AEK Athens grabbed the winner to ease the tension at Bramall Lane with 14 minutes left in the semi-final first leg.

Sunderland went into the match clear favourites to progress after finishing 14 points ahead of United in the table.

And they had the added bonus of opening the scoring after 17 minutes through inspirational skipper Kevin Ball.

But Sheffield United, who lost striker Gareth Taylor after just 10 minutes following a challenge from Nicky Summerbee, refused to buckle.

The FA Cup semi-finalists drew level through Brazilian Marcelo, Taylor's replacement.

And Borbokis' thunderous strike gave United the advantage going into the second leg on Wednesday at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland were left reflecting on what might have been and spurned a couple of good chances to add to their tally.

Daniele Dichio and Summerbee were the guilty men and manager Peter Reid must be disturbed at the way his team went off the boil after their early goal.

Summerbee carved out a good chance after 15 minutes when he played the ball down the line to Lee Clark, who delivered a precise cross, and Dichio nodded the ball wide when it seemed easier to hit the target.

But two minutes later, Ball, again so industrious, smacked home an unstoppable volley from the edge of the area after top scorer Kevin Phillips had headed back a delightful cross from Allan Johnston.

United found it hard work in the first half, although they carved out a couple of half-chances.

Dean Saunders galloped forward in the 27th minute and sent in a good shot only to see it deflected by Darren Williams.

Then Wales international Saunders got away after a poor back-pass from Darren Holloway only for goalkeeper Lionel Perez to block his shot.

Saunders then knocked a cross from Wayne Quinn wide but Sunderland should have added a second goal 10 minutes after the break.

Dichio knocked the ball back to Summerbee inside the penalty area but his effort was woefully off-target.

United drew level in the 57th minute when Borbokis swung in a corner from the left. Marcelo was lurking at the near post and tucked the ball home for his eighth goal of the season.

United grew in confidence and Saunders saw his speculative 35-yard shot just drift wide with Perez off his line.

United grabbed the winner with 14 minutes left. Borbokis, who scored on the opening day of the season against Sunderland, was the hero.

Sunderland substitute Alex Rae gave away a free kick with a foul on Ian Hamilton. Borbokis, 30 yards out on the left, delivered a magnificent strike over Perez's head and into the corner of the net.

United almost grabbed a third goal in the closing minutes when Marcelo released Saunders, only for Ball to block his effort.

Teams:

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Borbokis, Quinn, Ford, Sandford, Holdsworth, Saunders, Marker, Devlin, Taylor (Marcello 10), Hamilton.

Subs Not Used: Morris, Dellas.

Booked: Borbokis, Marker, Quinn.

Goals: Marcello 57, Borbokis 76.

Sunderland: Perez, Holloway (Rae 67), Makin (Ord 45), Clark, Craddock, Williams, Summerbee, Ball, Dichio, Phillips, Johnston.

Subs Not Used: Bridges.

Booked: Phillips, Williams, Ball.

Goals: Ball 17.

Att: 23,800

Ref: C R Wilkes (Gloucester).