The dramatic story of the day as Sunderland drop more points against Accrington Stanley
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Black Cats have seen their automatic promotion hopes fade after a disappointing few weeks, although there were some promising signs to come from the side’s 2-2 draw at Hull City in midweek.
And that will give Lee Johnson the confidence that his team can secure a much-needed victory against Accrington Stanley this afternoon.
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Hide AdHowever, they may have to do so without the influential Aiden McGeady, who is a doubt ahead of the clash.
Accrington, meanwhile, still hold hopes of a play-off place themselves and clinched an impressive win over Doncaster Rovers in midweek.
Our team of writers will be bringing you match updates, analysis and reaction from the Stadium of Light – as Sunderland look to cement their play-off place while applying more pressure on Hull and Peterborough United in the top two.
FT: Sunderland AFC 3-3 Accrington Stanley (Wyke 6, 11, Power 83; Bishop 51, O’Nien OG 68, McConville 85)
Key Events
- Sunderland face Accrington Stanley looking to end their five-game winless run in League One
- The Black Cats showed signs of promise in midweek as they drew with table-topping Hull City
- Aiden McGeady is a doubt for the game with a foot injury
- SAFC XI: Burge; Power, Wright, O’Nien, Hume; Scowen, Winchester, Gooch, McGeady; O’Brien, Wyke
85 - GOAL ACCRINGTON
And we’re level again.
There wasn’t a great deal Burge could do about that, in fairness, as McConville curled home a fine free-kick from 25 yards - which found its way in via the crossbar.
3-3.
90 - We’re into added time...
And there will be at least FIVE mintues of it.
And it’s Accy doing the pushing at the moment...
90+2 - OFF THE LINE!
A big chance for Sunderland as Savin spills Power’s drilled cross.
Wyke picks it up and eventually finds McGeady, whose curling strike is headed off the line by Rodgers.
90+4 - WHAT A SAVE!
Another big chance for Sunderland!
McGeady tees-up Leadbitter, whose strike from 25 yards is tipped wide by Savin. A great stop.
Sunderland also make a change...
OFF: McGeady
ON: Stewart
FT: SUNDERLAND 3-3 ACCRINGTON
Sunderland twice throw away the lead, and the game ends all square.
Stay tuned for our report, ratings, reaction and more...
The full-time report from the Stadium of Light
How a bizarre afternoon played out as shambolic Sunderland throw away the lead twice against Accrington Stanley
Sunderland’s top-two hopes were all but extinguished in a shambolic second-half against Accrington Stanley.
Here’s what John Coleman said about the game...
We were sleep walking in the first half. Gave away two goals but changed it. I thought we were the better side in the second half. It was just a shame we got caught for the third Sunderland goal. I know the Luke O’Nien goal was a fluke but when we got back to 3-3 I thought there’d be only one winner. It is a great advert for League One football but we are disappointed we didn’t win three points.
Here’s how Phil Smith rated today’s performances..
Phil Smith's Sunderland AFC player ratings: Two 7s but some mixed marks after frustrating Accrington Stanley draw
Sunderland shared the spoils with Accrington Stanley in a chaotic draw on Wearside.
Lee Johnson is speaking to Sky Sports...
Here’s what the Sunderland head coach had to say:
It’s very disappointing. That’s unacceptale - particularly because if you watch the highlights reel of our attacking play, it was fantastic time.
There’s another way to defend well and that’s to have the ball. We just lost too many individual duels in that 25 minutes.
There was some really good play in terms of our attacking play. Even going into the second half we’ve had very good chances to finish it off and not then. We then lost too many individual duels - technically and physically - and they threw caution to the wind. That was our problem, plus big individual errors as well.