More frustration in match riddled with keepers’ awful howlers

Sunderland 2 Millwall 2

THIS was less a football match, more a goalkeeping comedy gig.

Sunderland drew 2-2 with Millwall after an outstanding exhibition in the art of how not to keep the ball out of the net.

You might have thought Robbin Ruiter and Jordan Archer had been nobbled by some dodgy bookmakers were it not for the fact that no matchfixer would ever make it so obvious.

In the end the two men cancelled themselves out, leading to yet another frustrating afternoon at the Stadium of Light for the Sunderland supporters.

With Chris Coleman needed in Newport to switch on the Christmas lights, his former Wales assistant Kit Symons was in the stands to watch how the Black Cats performed so what messages will Agent Symons have relayed across the border to Wales?

1. Sunderland are record-breakers

FOR all their second-half endeavour, the Black Cats’ uncanny ability to shoot themselves in the foot has put them in the record books.

Their 2-2 draw with Millwall extend- Sunderland CEO Martin Bain watches on from the stands with Kit Symons ed their run to 20 matches in all competitions at the Stadium of Light without a win. It now stands on its own as the worst record in the history of league football.

2. Positivity ruined, but the fans did not give up

THINGS all started very positively at the Stadium of Light. Regulars – and the crowds are more or less down just to the hard-core now – probably realised it could not last.

With the day set aside for the Bradley Lowery Foundation and a highcalibre manager waiting in the wings, the situation was ripe for a much- needed lift to morale. Robbie Stockdale’s team selection was much more positive than the side he and Billy McKinlay sent out at Middlesbrough.

Sunderland began on the front foot, as they often did under Simon Grayson and the crowd responded well.

Lewis Grabban gave them the lead, taking advantage of the sort of uncertain goalkeeping the south stand has seen at a few corners this season, but usually from the home goalkeeper.

Just like under Grayson, though, the good work was quickly undone.

By the time of the half-time whistle the Wearsiders were booed off having lost their composure and all too often the ball. They were stray passes aplenty but the worst moment came when Adam Matthews stubbed his toe in the turf trying to kick the ball down the touchline and instead kicked it a couple of yards out of play.

That said, as soon as Matthews equalised a couple of minutes into the second half, the home fans eagerly got behind them, creating just the sort of atmosphere they needed to will them to victory.

Sunderland are lacking a lot of things right now but support was not one of them in the second period as the frustrations of the first were quickly forgotten about.

There were one or two boos at full-time, but no more than that as the crowd appreciated the efforts of their players, if not all of the football...