Sunderland defender reveals how under-fire squad will use Doncaster pain as inspiration ahead of Fleetwood Town clash

And Bailey Wright, who captained Sunderland for the 1-1 draw, has called on his teammates to bottle that frustration and use it to help inspire them to victory away at Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town on Friday evening.

Grant Leadbitter fired Sunderland into the lead at Doncaster with a stunning long-range effort before Fejiri Okenabirhie levelled for the hosts with barely 30 seconds left on the clock.

It was a bitter pill for Sunderland and their fans, following from home, to swallow.

Wright insists they cannot be too downbeat ahead of Friday night, with pressure building.

“We've been putting in a lot of good work on the training pitch and on the training ground with what we want to do and what we believe in,” said Wright.

"We're working hard, really hard, and you can see that.

"Sometimes when you work hard and you don't get the rewards you deserve, that's what hurts.

"Of course we're frustrated at the goal, but we've worked so hard to get that result.

"Every single one of us wanted that win and that's what's important - that feeling we have there. We can't let it go away because of a late goal.”

He added: “We use that whenever we lose or draw games.

"We've drawn, but I keep feeling like we've lost which is the expectation we put on ourselves.

"In many ways, you can use that as a positive.

"Nothing is given, you have to earn it, and there's another opportunity against Fleetwood which is going to be a tough game. We have to pick ourselves up and crack on.”

Reflecting on Leadbitter’s stunning strike at Doncaster, Wright added: “It was a great strike. You see his quality and he's been brilliant this season.

"We know he's got that in his locker and he's done that many times throughout his career.

"It was a great strike and the whole build-up play and our whole performance was very good.

"That strike was brilliant from Granty, but I'm sure he'll say - like anyone - that he would have taken anyone else scoring and us coming away with the win.”

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