GILB-ILANT!
Alex wraps up the win for Addicks
LEE JOHNSON was left with regrets after his side’s home defeat to Charlton.
The third-placed Black Cats’ head coach was frustrated after watching his side’s 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end – leaving them five points behind second placed Peterborough, albeit with one game in hand.
Sunderland couldn’t find a way back from falling two goals behind until Josh Scowen made up for his 31st-minute own goal by heading in for the hosts with 13 minutes remaining.
But there was to be no late equaliser for Sunderland who ended up losing because of the way they allowed Alex Gilbey to coast into the box and hit a second for Charlton just after the hour.
But Johnson knows Sunderland could have scored first in the game had Charlie Wyke netted one of his two first-half chances.
The Sunderland boss said: “My view on the game, we had the first three of the best chances, I’m disappointed not to take one of those. I knew we were up against it officials wise.
“Their first goal was partly soft from our view, but partly a foul too.
“We let them off the hook too many times. If you’re going to get clean sheets against a big strong side like Charlton, you have to do your fundamentals.
“If you get enough chances we fancy ourselves to convert a decent rate.” While Sunderland, who travel to Wigan on Tuesday, remain in the hunt for a top two spot, Charlton are hoping to climb back into the play-off zone.
The Addicks are now eight matches without defeat and sit a point shy of sixth-placed Lincoln, although they have played a game more.
Charlton boss Nigel Adkins, who has overseen three matches since taking over from Lee Bowyer, said: “That is a good win away from home for us.
“They are a good side, as they demonstrated, and to win here and score two, was very good, and we could have had more.
“We hit the post in both halves and had other chances.”