Late goal is cruel to Phil’s Cats
SUNDERLAND boss Phil Parkinson was left to bemoan a late equaliser by Doncaster after his side’s best display for some time.
The Black Cats dominated the first half and carried a lead into the break courtesy of a stunning long- range strike from stalwart Grant Leadbitter.
And they looked to have shut Rovers out in the second half until Fejiri Okenabirhie hooked in from close range late on.
Parkinson said: “It was cruel to concede with the last kick of the game.
“It was just one moment when we tried to win the ball on the edge of the box and it ended up in the back of the net.
“The first half was the best we have played for a long time. Some of our movement was excellent.”
Parkinson felt his Cats should have been awarded a penalty in the first half when Joe Wright bundled over Lynden Gooch. He said: “I couldn’t believe how the referee did not give it.
“The refs have to get those decisions right and, even if the ref does not think so, the linesman should let him know it was a stonewall penalty.
“It proved costly, but really we were in a position where we should have seen the game through anyway.”
Darren Moore said Okenabirhie’s late leveller meant more than any other goal this season as Doncaster got just rewards for not giving up.
The Rovers boss said: “They had spells in the game, we had spells in the game. We had chances to put them on the back foot.
“You’re talking about the small details that can unlock the game and I just thought at times we were lacking in them.
“You have to credit Sunderland. They set their stall out and they were a very tough rearguard to break down.
“That goal probably meant more because of the way they kept at it, the way they kept going.
“To unpick them like that with Brad Halliday’s brilliant bit of skill was excellent. I was pleased with the players, and they deserved it for the way that they kept at it.”