HEREFORD-born goalkeeper Lee Burge played a key role in Sunderland winning the Papa John’s Trophy on Sunday.

The 28-year-old signed for the Black Cats in 2019 and has made 32 appearances for the North East club who sit fourth in League One.

Previously Burge spent 15 years with Coventry City after joining their academy, aged 11.

In that time the goalkeeper made 160 appearances for Coventry, lifting the EFL Trophy in 2017 before returning to Wembley one season later and winning promotion via the League Two Play-Offs.

Burge continue his love of Wembley finals on Sunday helping Sunderland to a 1-0 victory over Tranmere.

The win ended a 48-year Wembley hoodoo for Sunderland.

Burge was forced into action early in the tie when on the 15th minute when Grant Leadbitter's attempted clearance of Danny Lloyd's shot was well kept out by stretching Burge.

The victory was eventually settled in the 57th minute when Lynden Gooch’s second-half goal ensured the Black Cats ended a winless run of eight visits to Wembley.

Sunderland manager Lee Johnson said that his side had tired legs but hung on for victory.

"We were slightly sloppy in the first half but the second half was much better," he said.

"We had to ride out that spell, six or seven minutes after we'd scored. They threw caution to the wind a little bit.

"There were a lot of tired out legs out there and emotionally it was tiring. No final is ever easy. Hopefully this is the start of our journey."