JUST MAGIC!
Chris stops Cats from falling flat
PHIL PARKINSON was relieved that Chris Maguire came up with an equaliser to spare Sunderland from a sobering opening-day defeat.
But the Black Cats boss says his side needs to be better in the final third to make sure they get the victories they deserve.
Sunderland dominated possession, but struggled to level things up after Luke Leahy struck a third-minute penalty for Rovers when keeper Lee Burge felled Jayden Mitchell-lawson.
In the end, Maguire levelled with eight minutes remaining to earn a point, which could have been three had Max Power’s late efforts found the net. George Dobson was shown a red card late on for the hosts.
“It was a terrible start, it couldn’t have been any worse against a team that came to time waste,” said P a r kinson. “We became frantic after that. We got better as the game wore on.
“We completely dominated the second half and should have won comfortably.
“We got the goal, but also had several other chances. There was some good goalkeeping, some poor finishing and the save from
Max kept them in the game.”
Bristol Rovers boss Ben Garner was satisfied with the outcome, but was annoyed how Bailey Wright, who had been cautioned in for a foul on Brandon Hanlan, did not see a second card for another foul on the striker.
Ga r n e r s a i d: “Defensively we were good against a strong Sunderland side. The turning point in the second half, Bailey Wright brought down Hanlan when he was already on a yellow.
“The referee had a card in his hand, but he puts it back away.”