SUNDERLAND invoked the spirit of '73 to secure their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on an emotional afternoon at the Stadium of Light.

Tommy Smith, two-goal hero of the Black Cats' fifth-round replay triumph over Birmingham City at St. Andrews, was the match-winner again with an emphatic 15th-minute finish.

Mick McCarthy's men dominated the first half but had to withstand sustained pressure from their First Division rivals in a fiercely-contested second period.

But their rugged determination won the day and now Wearside awaits today's last-four draw, which will pit them against either holders Arsenal, Manchester United or Millwall or Tranmere, who fought out a goalless draw yesterday at the New Den.

The Gunners, of course, were Sunderland's semi-final opponents when they last won the Cup 31 years ago.

And there would be no more fitting tribute to trilbied messiah Bob Stokoe, who led Sunderland to that unforgettable triumph over Leeds at Wembley, and whose passing at the age of 73 little more than a month ago plunged Wearside into mourning.

Smith, who also scored in the fourth round win at Ipswich, has proved something of a talisman since McCarthy signed him on a free transfer from Watford last September.

And it could be an omen that Cup final day this year just happens to coincide with Smith's 24th birthday.

The former England Under-21 international had kept his place in attack yesterday ahead of Marcus Stewart, who scored the third goal in last Wednesday's 3-1 win at Walsall after coming on as a substitute.

McCarthy's decision was vindicated and it was Smith who offered the first threat when John Oster whipped in a teasing right-wing cross which was met with a firm downward header, and keeper Paddy Kenny had to go to ground to make the save.

The Blades then won a free-kick around 20 yards out after Jason McAteer charged into Ashley Ward, but Michael Tonge's driven effort flew wide.

Ward, the worse for wear after the challenge, was forced off moments later and replaced by Wayne Allison, scorer of one of the goals that dumped Sunderland out of the Worthington Cup at Bramall Lane last season.

But it was Sunderland very much in the ascendancy at this stage and the under-pressure Kenny twice had to punch clear before Smith struck to hand the Black Cats the lead.

Skipper George McCartney swapped passes with Julio Arca down the left before delivering the ball low to Smith, who after taking one touch let loose an angled left-foot drive which Kenny could only fingertip on to the post on its way in.

Gary Breen, back at the hub of Sunderland's defence after knee trouble, gave his side an anxious moment a minute later when his miskick dropped to Peter Ndlovu.

But the Zimbabwe international, recently returned from the African Cup of Nations, hurried his effort and hooked over.

Midfielder Tonge, whose progress has been keenly plotted by a host of top-flight clubs, blazed another one over as the Blades desperately sought a way back into the game.

Wily manager Neil Warnock knew he had to gamble if his side were to retrieve the situation and he acted by sending on Paul Peschisolido and former Middlesbrough left-back Alan Wright at half-time in place of veteran Stuart McCall and Andy Parkinson.

The Blades' onslaught began when keeper Mart Poom was forced to palm a cross behind for a corner on the left.

Tonge took the flag-kick and when Chris Morgan's header found its way through, Phil Jagielka failed in his attempt to get on the end of it and Poom was able to gather.

Allison saw a shot blocked by Breen and the United striker later miskicked in a good position as the visitors kept up a frantic spell of pressure.

But Sunderland refused to yield and when they broke upfield in the 56th minute, it was again Smith who was leading from the front.

Oster was his best option on the right, but when Smith went for the return ball he fluffed his shot and a great chance had gone begging.

United returned to the attack with the experienced Ndlovu seizing his opportunity as the Sunderland defence were caught ball-watching, to hit a shot which dipped just over.

Then, after McCartney had been penalised, Alan Wright's curling free-kick had to be punched out with both fists by the under-siege Poom.

Sunderland suffered a major blow in the 76th minute when Arca was stretchered off after coming off worse in a 50-50 challenge with Jagielka.

McCarthy threw on Paul Thirlwell and switched McAteer to the right and Oster to the left to accommodate the substitute in central midfield alongside Jeff Whitley.

The Black Cats' boss was going berserk three minutes later after Kevin Kyle had gone down in the penalty area under the challenge of Morgan.

The strapping striker from Stranraer was incensed by Morgan's suggestion that he had made a meal of it and pushed the centre-back before engaging him in a head-to-head confrontation which had to be broken up by Kenny.

McCarthy, meanwhile, was bawling at referee Steve Dunn and berating fourth official Matt Messias on the touchline.

With six minutes left, McCarthy withdrew Smith and Oster and sent on Stewart and Sean Thornton.

The tension was unbearable for the home crowd, especially when Mr Messias signalled there would be five minutes' stoppage time.

But Sunderland held on to make sure of their first semi-final appearance in the competition since 1992, when they reached the final before losing to Liverpool.

Result: Sunderland 1 Sheffield United 0.

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