The stunning away record Sunderland lost at MK Dons - and other moments you might have missed

We take a look at some of the moments you might have missed from the League One stalemate – from a late change to a lost record:

LEE JOHNSON’S VANTAGE POINT

The Sunderland head coach, once again decked out in jeans and a flat cap, took up a new vantage point for the warm-up ahead of the game.

While Johnson usually stays in the dressing room, and occasionally walks out pitch side to briefly observe things, he took a different view of the preparations at stadium:mk.

The 39-year-old headed into the stands to watch the early stages of Sunderland’s warm-up, before then retreating back to the dressing room.

THE PRE-MATCH INJURY SCARE

Johnson’s pre-match preparations were then thrown a late curveball after Tom Flanagan was forced to withdraw from the squad.

Flanagan progressed through most of the warm-up, only heading into the dressing room with an injury concern after the squad moved into their position-specific work – with the back four working together as a unit.

Assistant head coach Jamie McAllister quickly called for the physio and it was soon clear that something wasn’t quite right.

The defender was subsequently withdrawn from the squad with Jordan Willis taking his place in the side. The Black Cats were then grateful for the fact they had travelled with Dan Neil as an additional player.

Neil, who had warmed-up on his own, was quickly thrust into the match day squad as he took his place on the bench after Flanagan’s late blow.

Encouragingly, Flanagan was back to his feet by half-time as he took a place in the stand among the Sunderland substitutes.

WILL GRIGG’S WHEREABOUTS

Grigg may not have been able to feature for new club MK Dons against his parent side, but he was still in attendance.

The striker was sat among some of the home side’s other unavailable players for the game, having trained with his new teammates this week.

Grigg could feature for MK Dons when they travel to Rochdale on Tuesday evening, but will have to displace Joe Mason and Cameron Jerome – both of whom scored on Saturday afternoon.

THE RECORD LOST – AND THE ONE MAINTAINED

Sunderland’s away form has been a key catalyst in their improved form of late.

And while this result was far from the ideal one for the Wearsiders – as they dropped out the play-off places after surrendering more points – it did maintain one impressive record.

The Black Cats remain the only side in the EFL yet to taste defeat away from home this season, and continuing that record throughout the rest of the season will give the side a good chance of promotion (providing they can improve their form at the Stadium of Light, of course).

But although that record was extended, one other impressive away statistic did come to an end.

Under Johnson, Sunderland hadn’t conceded a goal away from home in League One prior to their visit to Milton Keynes – but that record came to an end very quickly against Russell Martin’s side.

BODIES ON THE LINE

One of the most pleasing elements of Sunderland’s afternoon was the return of Bailey Wright, who was a solid presence at the back for the Black Cats.

His impact on the side in terms of leadership was noticeable early on as he barked out instructions, and helped keep debutant Jake Vokins in-line on the left-hand side.

But the Australian’s two most telling contributions came in the second half, and were moments that ultimately proved key in ensuring Sunderland left with a point.

Wright twice made excellent blocks to keep the hosts at bay in their rare moments of promise after the interval.

The first came to deny Matt O’Riley, who cut in from the left and saw his well-placed shot beat Lee Burge – only for Wright to get his body in the way.

And his second came later in the game to keep out Scott Fraser’s bobbling volley which, while lacking power, could have crept into the bottom corner.

Wright’s interventions certainly helped in taking a point from stadium:mk and his return is a welcome one ahead of a busy and important week of fixtures.

TENSIONS ON THE TOUCHLINE

There was no love lost on the touchline in this one, as contentious decisions dominated the discussion – particularly in the second half.

Johnson was far from happy after Sunderland failed to be given a penalty for what looked to be a fairly certain handball after Aiden McGeady’s cross.

The Black Cats’ boss was equally as unhappy late on when the visitors looked to drive forward through Charlie Wyke, before the play was called back for a free-kick. Johnson, unhappy that his side were unable to play the advantage, threw his flat cap to the floor in disgust.

MK Dons too were unhappy with some of the calls made in a 45 minutes dominated by dubious calls.

There were muted shouts for a second yellow card for Luke O’Nien after he brought down Ethan Laird, but the big decision that had the hosts up in arms was a late tangle between Jerome and Wright.

The striker looked set to bear down on goal before he was brought down. The linesman flagged for the foul, but the referee overruled him and play continued.

It was a decision you don’t often see, and one which didn’t exactly quell the tensions on the touchline.

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