Black Cats’ character a big boost for Grayson

Simon Grayson praised his Sunderland players for their response to the heavy midweek defeat at Ipswich.

The Black Cats remain in secondbottom spot in the Championship, buta much-improved display secured a 2-2 draw away to Preston North End on Saturday.

Sunderland took a deserved lead through George Honeyman before a frenetic second-half period, which saw Josh Harrop and Jordan Hugill putting the hosts ahead and Aiden McGeady levelling.

Grayson, whose side had been thrashed 5-2 at Portman Road last Tuesday, said: “When you lose a game like the scoreline on Tuesday you want a reaction.

“We looked a decent team – that was the big thing about us. We showed a lot of character and withstood pressure.

“We were worthy leaders at halftime, limiting them to few opportunities. We matched their energy and desire, they have a lot of pace about them. Second half, when we had to dig deep, we did do.”

Grayson praised his players for their reaction to shipping two goals in the space of two second-half minutes.

He added: “When you concede a goal like we did, and then Hugill scores a goal like that – he won’t score another in his career like that and I can guarantee that as I have seen him for three years! – you are up against it.

“We had to withstand that pressure. We did then came back into the game. Other decisions could have gone our way.

“Watmore’s is a penalty when he went through, he was clipped on the corner of the box. That would have been the difference to drawing the game and winning it.

“I was pleased with the response.”