'It felt good': Mikael Mandron on his late heroics against Sunderland and returning 'home' to Wearside

The 25-year-old spent five years on Wearside as he came through the ranks at the Academy of Light, but returned to haunt his former club with a well-taken brace as Gillingham claimed a dramatic draw against the Black Cats.

And speaking after the game, Mandron admitted that he was pleased to return to a ground that he considers ‘home’,

“It feels like home here,” said the striker.

“I really enjoyed my time here and I was here for a while.

“I played many games here for the under-23s and a few for the first team as well. This place feels like home.”

Mandron was released in 2016, dropping down into non-league with Eastleigh before rebuilding his career.

So did he feel he had a point to prove on his return to the North East?

“Not really.

“Every time I go out I give everything I have.

“Coming here I obviously want to do well, but it didn’t feel any different.”

And perform well he did.

Mandron’s brace earned Gillingham a point from their visit to Wearside, and extended their fine run of form as they look to mount a late play-off push.

Indeed, his second strike was an impressive finish from range – which the Frenchman admits ‘felt good’, even if it broke the hearts of his former club.

“I’m of course happy I got a couple of goals, one being so late in the game too,” he admitted.

“It felt good [to get the late goal].

“I’ve been looking to get goals for a while, and obviously to come back here and to score at the Stadium of Light it feels really good.”

The striker was disappointed, however, that his current side could not take more than a point.

“I feel we could have got more out of the game,” added Mandron.

“We came here to win and it feels like we could have got a bit more from it.”