Exactly how it played out as Sunderland slump to second league defeat against MK Dons

Summer target Scott Fraser scored the decisive penalty just after the break, as the hosts paid the price for a slack opening hour in which they were outplayed by a fluid and brave opponent.

The Black Cats laid siege to the opposition goal late on, denied by the outstanding Andrew Fisher in the away goal.

They were also left to rue some major missed openings, with Will Grigg missing an open goal midway through the second half.

They should have equalised, but left their uplift too late in the game as the visitors were able to hold on.

Parkinson had sprung a surprise with this team selection, handing Grigg a chance to start just a week after suggesting a lack of desire in the box had been a key reason why his side had been dumped out of the FA Cup.

Chris Maguire did pay the price for a poor showing in that game, while a slight ankle injury for Lee Burge saw Remi Matthews handed his first league start.

MK Dons had come into the game 19th in the table, but with the perception generally that their performances had been superior to their results.

An open, entertaining start to the contest suggested that was a more than fair assessment.

It was the visitors who carved the first opening of the game, a clever corner routine catching Sunderland cold. Veteran defender Lewington had a tricky finish with his back to goal after a low corner was turned towards him, and he could only turn it over the bar.

The Black Cats responded well, Grigg doing superbly to catch the his marker out as he tried to shield the ball out for a goal kick. The cross was excellent, and just inches away from the outstretched boot of Gooch as he slid in to try and convert.

MK Dons repeated their corner routine and went even closer, this time Jerome firing just wide as he raced to the front post, meeting the low ball entirely unmarked.

The contest was wide open.

Russell Martin’s side determined to play out from the back, and Sunderland enjoying the opportunity to try and catch them out in the press.

When the opener came, it was a fine strike but soft one for the visitors to concede.

A free kick from deep was poorly defender, and Power’s firm effort from the edge of the area took a slight deflection past Fisher in the opposition goal.

It was a chance for Sunderland to reset and take control, but the visitors were level within minutes. They were again sharpest to the ball from an attacking set piece, and this time it was a superb header from Jerome, flicked to the far corner where Matthews had no chance of making the save.

Sunderland looked uncertain, with the hosts finding it far easier to play through their midfield than most sides have done on this turf this season.

The Black Cats should have taken the lead when Grigg tried to meet a wonderful chipped pass from Grant Leadbitter, but his touch was heavy and allowed the goalkeeper to recover.

MK Dons continued to threaten, with Scott Fraser noticeably enjoying a number of strong breaks through the centre of the pitch.

Sunderland could consider themselves fortunate that a lack of composure meant they were not punished more heavily, particularly when Middlesbrough loanee Stephen Walker broke to the byline, his low cross cleared by O’Nien at the crucial moment.

The home side had been limited to one or two overly ambitious efforts from distance, Gooch and Scowen both firing high and wide.

Their shape been unclear throughout a ppor opening half, and they were punished within minutes of the restart.

Walker broke down the left and after beating Wright, saw his effort deflected into the air. Power’s clearance was weak, and as he tried again to clear he brought down Fraser near the edge of the box.

The referee pointed to the spot, and Fraser stepped up to send Matthews the wrong way.

That goal sparked a long overdue reaction, Sunderland stepping up the tempo and pushing MK Dons back into their final third. They forged a good opening when Hume advanced into the box, but his cutback was cleared.

They forged a huge opening with just over 20 minutes to go, with Gooch doing well to catch Lewington in possession. He surged towards goal and fired a low cross towards the centre of the goal, where Grigg missed from barely a yard out. The striker made a connection, but could only turn it away from goal.

Soon after he was replaced by Danny Graham, the home side increasingly dominant as Martin’s side were visibly tiring.

They were increasingly gifting the ball away in dangerous areas, and were thankful to Fisher for a stunning stop with ten minutes to play. Wyke had broke into space well and foudn Hume on the overlap, and his crisp drive was deflected. Fisher had gone the wrong way, but stuck out a leg to make the stop.

Within moments it was the turn of Matthews to impress, superbly denying Fraser after a fine break from the away side.

Fisher was called into action once more before the final whistle, again denying Hume with a wonderful stop low to his left.

Sunderland forced a flurry of corners in five minutes of stoppage time, but were unable to turn it into another opportunity on a desperately disappointing afternoon.

Sunderland XI: Matthews; Willis (Diamond, 85), Wright, O’Nien; Gooch, Scowen, Leadbitter, Power (Maguire, 67), Hume; Grigg (Graham, 72), Wyke

Subs: Burge, Dobson, O’Brien, Graham, Sanderson

MK Dons XI: Fisher; O’Hora, Keogh, Lewington; Sorinola, Kasumu, Fraser, Thompson (Sorensen, 80), Gladwin (Cargill, 75); Jerome, Walker (Morris, 63)

Subs: Nicholls, Davies, Freeman, Johnson

Bookings: Jerome, 62 Morris, 66

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