Sunderland 1 Rotherham United 1: Story of the day after Michael Ihiekwe own goal hands Cats a point in League One play-off race

Sunderland salvaged a point to draw 1-1 with Rotherham at the Stadium of Light.
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Rotherham defender Michael Ihiekwe opened the scoring when he headed home a corner in the first half, while Sunderland struggled to create chances in the opening 45 minutes.

Alex Neil made some attacking substitutions in the second half, with Alex Pritchard, Jack Clarke and Elliot Embleton entering the fray.

Yet it took until the 88th minute for the hosts to draw level when Ihiekwe headed Clarke’s cross into his own net.

Here’s how the game played out:

RECAP: Sunderland 1 (Ihiekwe, own goal, 88) Rotherham 1 (Ihiekwe, 17)

Key Events

  • Sunderland XI: Patterson, Batth, Wright, Doyle, Hume (Clarke, 60), Evans, Matete (Embleton, 70), Gooch, O’Nien, Broadhead (Pritchard, 53), Stewart
  • Subs: Hoffmann, Xhemajli, Neil, Clarke, Roberts, Embleton, Pritchard
  • Rotherham XI: Johansson, Edmonds-Green, Wood, Ihiekwe; Harding, Rathbone (Lindsay, 79), Barlaser, Osei-Tutu (Mattock, 76), Wiles, Ogbene, Smith
  • Subs: Chapman, Mattock, Bola, Odoffin, Lindsay, Kayode, Kelly.

84’ That should be 2-0!

Rotherham should have wrapped the game up there.

First Patterson punched away Barlaser’s corner but the visitors kept the move alive.

Eventually the ball dropped to Smith at the back post but the striker scuffed his low shot wide.

Tonight’s attendance: 33,119

79’ SUBSTITUTION: ON: Lindsay - OFF: Rathbone

Second change for the visitors.

Rathbone is taking his time to leave the pitch.

Pritchard’s free-kick brushes the side netting.

Some fans thought it was in.

76’ SUBSTITUTION: ON: Mattock - OFF: Osei-Tutu

First change for Rotherham.

Osei-Tutu was in no rush to come off.

Rathbone has also been booked for a foul on the edge of the box.

74’ Poor from set-pieces

72’ Sheffield Wednesday ahead

Lee Gregory has scored two goals in two minutes to complete his hat-trick and put Sheffield Wednesday ahead.

70’ SUBSTITUTION: ON: Embleton - OFF: Matete

Final change for Sunderland.

Sunderland are finding more space higher up the pitch now with the game becoming stretched.

O’Nien’s low cross from the left curled across goal but Stewart couldn’t quite reach it.

63’ Patterson saves

Wood’s header from Barlaser’s corner was directed straight at Patterson.

This game could open up in the closing stages.

Sunderland have to go for it now.