How it played out as Max Power rescues a point an another day of frustration for Sunderland

Sunderland had controlled the contest for the most part, but gifted their opposition a second-half lead when Matthews spilled a weak shot straight into the path of Charles Vernam.

Power’s superb header spared some of the blushes for the home side, whose late shift to an attacking formation finally yielded a significant spell of pressure.

For the most part, it had been far too comfortable for a Burton side struggling in the table.

They were content to sit deep and let their opponents have the ball, who were able to do frustratingly little with it.

It served for a flat end to a day that had been mostly marked by managerial excitement, even if by kick off the talk of a return for Gus Poyet had fizzled out.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Andrew Taylor opted against significant change in his first game as caretaker boss, by and large sticking with the same template that Phil Parkinson had employed in recent weeks.

There were one or two notable calls, with Elliot Embleton given his first league start of the season and Max Power recalled ahead of Chris Maguire.

The Black Cats started brightly, with Power seeing an effort from the edge of the area deflected over the bar. Conor McLaughlin drove into the box moments later after some decent team play down the right, drawing a decent but ultimately comfortable stop from Kieran O’Hara in the Burton goal.

Sunderland looked in control, dominating both possession and territory.

The issue increasingly prevalent as the half developed was an inability to turn that into meaningful efforts on goal. A number of crosses from dangerous areas were cleared comfortably by the visiting defence, who were happy to absorb the pressure and allow their opponents to play in front of them.

Sunderland’s stalling momentum was further disrupted by an injury to Charlie Wyke, who was unable to run off a knee problem picked up early in the game, replaced by Danny Graham with just a quarter of the contest played.

Burton offered little, with their only effort of the half coming shortly afterwards, defender Michael Bostwick seeing his headed effort from a corner easily stopped by Matthews.

Sunderland continued to press with little end product, O’Hara troubled only when forced to clear a wicked cross from Josh Scowen as Graham looked to apply some pressure.

It had been a tepid contest, though a lift in the tempo did draw a good chance for the hosts shortly after the break.

Denver Hume’s low cross was turned towards goal by Embleton, and Scowen’s close-range effort was held well by O’Hara.

The Black Cats threatened again when Power whipped in a cross from the right flank, but Embleton misjudged the header and it was an easy stop for the Irishman in the Burton goal.

Those missed chances would quickly come to haunt Sunderland, with a succession of defensive errors allowing Burton to seize an unlikely lead.

Flanagan gifted possession away in his own half and allowed the visitors to build up play down the right. Joe Powell turned away from Leadbitter on the edge of the area and struck what looked to be a tame effort at goal.

Matthews spilled it as it bounced up towards him; Vernam the quickest to react in the box for the simplest of finishes.

Sunderland pushed for an equaliser without any real openings, forcing Taylor to throw on Chris Maguire and Will Grigg in search of inspiration.

It was the visitors who then went closest, with Bostwick missing a good opportunity at the back post after a superb free kick from the lively Powell.

The home side looked short of ideas, but struck the woodwork when Grigg’s clever header from an O’Nien cross had O’Hara beaten. Graham then stung the palms of O’Hara just seconds later, before turning the follow-up just wide of the far post.

The pressure eventually told with five minutes to play, Sunderlnd working the ball out to Hume on the left. The cross into the middle of the box was excellent, and Power did superbly to make the late run and head past O’Hara.

Power fired over the bar as stoppage time approached after again breaking into the box, but Jake Buxton’s side were able to hold on for what was for them an immensely valuable point.

For Sunderland it was more frustration, with supporter concern over what comes next for their club growing.

Sunderland XI: Matthews; McLaughlin, Wright, Flanagan (Grigg, 70); O’Nien (Sanderson, 90), Leadbitter, Scowen, Hume; Power, Embleton (Maguire, 70), Wyke (Graham, 24)

Subs: Burge, Dobson, Sanderson, McFadzean

Burton Albion XI: O’Hara; Brayford, Hughes, Bostwick, Daniel; Quinn (Fox, 88), Gilligan, Edwards, Powell (Gallacher, 82), Vernam (O’Toole, 90), Akins

Subs: Garratt, Wallace, Lawless, Ennis

Bookings: Edwards, 30

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of SAFC coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor