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

Thanks for joining us today

We’re signing off for today but have loads more reaction and analysis over on the SAFC section of the Echo website.

See you soon.

Reaction from Lee Johnson

Full-time verdict from the Wham Stadium

Full-Time: Accrington Stanley 1 Sunderland 1

90+2’ Embleton corner cleared

Embleton’s corner is headed away by Pell.

How has that been allowed to happen?

Sunderland were cut open from a goal kick as Butcher squared the ball to Clark inside the area, providing a tap in for the latter.

1-1.

80’ Double change for Accrington

76’ RED CARD - Sykes sent off!

The Accrington defender was already booked and was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Stewart.

The hosts are down to 10 men.

72’ Accrington still threatening

Hoffmann hasn’t had many saves to make but the hosts are still creating chances.

This time Bishop’s headed knock down found Pell in the box, yet the midfielder couldn’t get a clean strike, allowing Hoffmann to save his scuffed effort.