How a dismal second-half showing saw Sunderland give up another lead on the night their away record fell

The presence of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus may have offered some hope for the future but on the pitch a dismal second-half showing has left the Black Cats well off the promotion pace.

A potentially serious injury to Jordan Willis early in the game furthered worsened the mood on the night when their unbeaten away record in the league fell.

In that second half they were outrun and outplayed as Aiden O'Brien's early goal wad left to count for nothing.

Sunderland's performance was initially disjointed, little surprise given the long disruption as Willis was treated for what looked like a serious knee problem.

There was little tempo or rhythm to the game when the Black Cats took the lead, another example of their improving threat on the counter attack in recent times.

It was a poor header from Ethan Ebanks-Landell just inside his own half, but from there Sunderland were clinical. Wyke quickly pounced on the loose ball and a good early run from O'Brien allowed to him run clear and convert the simplest of finishes.

In truth there was little between the sides through what was a sedate first period, the two sides trading half-chances with little real sight of goal.

The Back Cats were indebted to a fine saving tackle from Bailey Wright, who did superbly to clear after the lively Harry Chapman burst to the byline on the right flank.

That would be a warning to Sunderland of his quality and it was one they wouldn't heed.

Johnson's side did go close when Jordan Jones and Dion Sanderson had shots blocked from close range after a set piece bounced loose, but there was little real attacking threat after that early goal.

In fairness to the visitors, they looked in relative control until the error that saw their performance begin to unravel.

Shrewsbury had enjoyed little sight of goal before an innocuous cross was floated into the box, where January signing Curtis Main was able to beat Remi Matthews as he came for a cross.

After Main won the flick-on Ebanks-Landell had the simplest of finishes to draw his side level.

Chapman struck the post just minutes later after being left free at the back post, and on the second opening 68 minutes into the game he made to mistake.

It was a fine cross from Shaun Whalley and a stunning first-time finish from the former Middlesbrough youngster, but it reflected the lack of composure that had come to define Sunderland's play.

They were lucky not to fall further behind when a free kick from deep went straight through Matthews, Sunderland saved only by the dubious raising of the linesman's flag.

That escape drew a belated response from the Black Cats, with Johnson moving to a back three as he looked to get a more attacking shape with Jack Diamond at wing-back.

Sunderland had their chances, with Wright missing a header that he should have converted.

There was a fine save from Matija Sarkic as McGeady threatened from a set play, but it was too little, too late for Sunderland.

A bright start surrendered in a woeful second-half showing.

Sunderland XI: Matthews; Power (O’Nien, 75), Willis (Sanderson, 7), Wright, Vokins (Diamond, 74); Jones (Gooch, 57), Scowen, Leadbitter, McGeady; O’Brien, Wyke

Subs: Burge, McLaughlin, Maguire

Shrewsbury Town XI: Sarkic; Love, Ebanks-Landell, Williams, Ogbeta; Vela, Goss (Edwards, 85), Norburn; Whalley, Main (Udoh, 87), Chapman (Daniels, 75)

Subs: Burgoyne, Golbourne, Pyke, Davis

Bookings: Love, 77