Sunderland 1 Accrington Stanley 1: Story of the day as Mitchell Clark goal earns hosts a point after Aiden O'Brien opener and Ross Sykes red card

Sunderland squandered a second-half lead as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Accrington Stanley.
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After a goalless first half, Lee Johnson’s side opened the scoring when Aiden O’Brien’s deflected effort looped past Stanley goalkeeper Toby Savin.

Sunderland appeared to be in control when defender Ross Sykes was sent off for a second yellow card 14 minutes from time, yet there was a late twist.

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Mitchell Clark pulled a goal back in the 84th minute as Sunderland were cut open too easily.

Aiden O'Brien.Aiden O'Brien.
Aiden O'Brien.

Here’s how the game played out:

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RECAP: Accrington Stanley 1 (Clark, 84) Sunderland 1 (O’Brien, 47)

Key Events

  • Sunderland XI: Hoffmann, Wright, Flanagan, Doyle, Cirkin, Neil, Embleton, Gooch, Pritchard (O’Brien, 45), Dajaku, Stewart
  • Subs: Patterson, Xhemajli, Diamond, Hawkes, D. Hume, T. Hume, O’Brien
  • Accrington Stanley XI: Savin, Clark, Nottingham, Sykes, O’Sullivan (Rich-Baghuelou, 80), Pell, Butcher, Hamilton, Amankwah, McConville (Longelo, 80), Bishop
  • Subs: Isherwood, Rodgers, Baghuelou, Longelo, Nolan, Morgan, Malcolm

65’ Big block from Doyle

This isn’t done yet.

A low cross from McConville on the left fell to Bishop in the box but his shot was blocked by Doyle.

Good defending from the Sunderland defender.

63’ Embleton free-kick over

Sykes must be on his last warning after the Accrington defender fouled Stewart on the edge of the box and Sunderland won a free-kick.

Embleton took the shot but curled his effort over the bar.

Accrington are still causing problems.

Another knock down in the Sunderland box fell to Hamilton who fired his low shot wide.

The Accrington players appealed for a corner but a goal kick was given.

Sykes was booked after complaining to the referee.

50’ Accrington go close

48’ GOALLLLLLL!!!!! O’BRIEN!!!

An instant impact.

Doyle stepped out of defence before setting up O’Brien whose shot from distance took a deflection and looped into the top corner.

1-0 Sunderland!

Half-time change for Sunderland

First-half verdict from the Wham Stadium

Half-Time: Accrington Stanley 0 Sunderland 0

45+1’ Almost an own goal

Amankwah’s error allowed Dajaku to deliver a low cross from the right before Sykes turned the ball over the bar.

The visitors couldn’t take advantage of the corner.