Sunderland have let an early lead slip against Blackburn to be bundled out of the FA Cup in the fourth round due to a late winner by the Rover.
David Healy got the Black Cats off to a perfect start in the replay at Ewood Park when he finished calmly in the 7th minute.
From then on Blackburn dominated with their attacking style but could not equalise until the 37th minute through a sublime Aaron Mokoena strike from 25 yards.
A stalemate proceeded and it looked like the game would be headed for extra-time but Rovers striker Benni McCarthy came to the rescue.
The South African, who came on as a substitute, headed home from a Carlos Villanueva free-kick with under three minutes remaining in extra-time to send Sam Allardyce's men through to the next round where they will meet Coventry at home.