Sunderland survived the sternest examination of their defensive credentials after being bombarded by dozens of crosses and tested to the limits by the pace of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

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And they were only breached by the brilliance of young Shaun Maloney's free-kick expertise.

Black Cats boss Keane said: "I think the back four played well – we chose to put in Dean Whitehead at right-back and, as a unit, I think they tightened up well.

"They were determined, stuck to their task well and defended lots and lots of crosses – I think there were about 50 or 60 balls into the box they had to cope with.

"We defended solidly, but you have to defend solidly in the Premiership and the two Dannys did well – Danny Higginbotham and Danny Collins.

"There's no question of these lads' honesty and desire to be players.

"Villa are a very good team and it was a very open game, a good honest game, with two good teams going for it.

"We got a goal then we were under the cosh, gave a goal away after conceding possession softly in the middle of the park and gave a sloppy free-kick away on the edge of the area, which you will be punished for in the Premiership.

"Shaun Maloney did punish us.

"But I always felt we would nick it at the end and we did. We did nick it at the end.

"I think it was a good game for the fans and a very entertaining last 10 minutes when you just didn't know which way it was going to go.

"Then I thought we scored a very good goal, an injury-time winner – it would have been a fantastic boost for us – good for us, good for our supporters but for some reason it has been chalked off.

"I just feel for the fans who have been brilliant, brilliant all season, and they stay behind us in every game.

"I'm thinking of every single supporter who was at the ground, who will be thinking of that last goal.

"It's them I feel for more than anyone because getting a win in the Premiership is not easy."

Despite the anger he felt at the referee, Keane conceded that once his blood had stopped boiling, he might be able to look on the bright side of the overall performance.

"I hope I can take positives from it," he said.

"Dwight Yorke did well, especially having not played too much football going into the game – his experience was as vital on the pitch in this game as it is around the ground every day of the week.

"I was pleased with Dickson Etuhu, because he was touch and go with a virus. So there were positives, although, at the moment, all we're talking about is the disallowed goal.

"But we have to get over it and we will. It will pass, as everything does.

"I have a few days to stew in it, but we have a game coming up Saturday that we have to focus on. I know it will pass, but it's a hard one to take."