WAIT IS DON AND DUSTED
Fraser downs the Black Cats to end away hoodoo
RUSSELL MARTIN celebrated MK Dons’ first away win for 14 months as Sunderland blew the chance to go second.
It was September 14 last year the last time MK Dons dug out a victory on their travels at Blackpool... and Martin, now boss, scored.
This was a damaging defeat for Sunderland who are in the midst of a wobble – three defeats in eight days posing questions about their ability to kill off opponents.
Scott Fraser’s second-half penalty clinched their first win ever against
Sunderland in five games, with keeper Andrew Fisher given his chance and making a series of key saved as the home side poured forward late on.
Martin said: “I’m so proud of them. We haven’t spoken about the away record without a win, but they’ve got social media, they listen to the interviews so of course they were aware of it and it frustrated them as much as it did me.
“It will be nice not to talk about it any more.
“And what a place to come to do it. To come back after the way we started the game, it’s incredible.
“The boys gave me everything they had out of possession. The desire to protect the lead was incredible.”
Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson was unhappy at their run of results and branded their finishing “unacceptable” amid a growing backlash from Black Cats supporters on social media.
He said: “We are very frustrated.
“The second goal especially really cost us.
“Three errors led to the foul, which led to the penalty.
“In terms of chances around the six- yard box it is unacceptable that we have not taken them. They are gilt-edge moments, and you can’t be at the top unless you take them.
“Six- yard box, bit of composure and get a goal. It is unacceptable we didn’t take them.
“Yes I understand (why people are angry).
“There is no team playing football today that creates as many chances close to the goal.
“We get four, five moments to convert.
“We missed too many, this game, and in others.” Max Power opened the scoring early on with a crisp deflected shot,
There is no team playing football today that creates as many chances close to goal. We get four, five moments to convert
t was clear MK Dons were going e tough opponents. ynden Gooch’s cross fell kindly Power, who drilled a low drive clipped Warren O’Hora’s heel in 12th minute.
K Dons had started strongly, wing early signs of their attacking ential despite facing League ’s meanest defence. ean Lewington flicked a header over, and Stephen Walker jinked in the box and had a shot ked. ameron Jerome levelled four utes after Sunderland’s opener. en Gladwin swung the ball into area and veteran striker glanced werfully past Remi Matthews,
TO THE MAX Power marks his early goal who got the call in goal ahead of Lee Burge.
It looked a mystery why MK Dons started the game in 19th position, such was their slick attacking play, with Jerome, Boro loanee Walker and Fraser all mobile.
Fraser put the visitors ahead with a penalty in the 47th minute.
Power tried to hook clear close to the edge of the area but booted Sco t i sh midfielder Fraser, and ref Steve Martin made the right call.
Parkinson reckons his side are well equipped to finish in the top two this season, their third in League One, but they need to be more ruthless and cute in attack. Somehow striker Will Grigg missed an open goal two yards out as Gooch fired across goal.
He got a faint touch, which went for a throw-in. A terrible miss.
Parkinson still paid tribute to Grigg and said: “He worked his socks off for the team.
“He knows he has to make those moments count.”
Then Denver Hume smashed wide from 12 yards and was also denied an equaliser by a brilliant save by Andrew Fisher.
Immediately at the other end keeper Matthews was top-notch to block Fraser, who was clear through on goal.