One lapse cost us the victory, admits a frustrated Parkinson
SUNDERLAND were ‘punished’ for one lapse which cost them two points at Fleetwood Town, according to Phil Parkinson.
The Black Cats were in control at Highbury and led through Charlie Wyke’s goal on the hour.
However, for a brief spell Fleetwood put them under pressure and skipper Callum Connolly forced the ball home from a goalmouth scramble a little over 15 minutes from time.
It was a bitter disappointment for Parkinson and his players, particularly coming on the back of the injury-time equaliser they conceded at Doncaster Rovers last weekend.
It means the Wearsiders have now picked up just two points from their last three league games.
Parkinson said: “When you take the lead you expect to win the gam.
“There was just that very small period where we did not clear our lines properly and were punished for it because we were not under a lot of pressure prior to that.
“We did the job really well in the first half with the way we set up against a team which had scored five at the weekend.
“We were the better side, we grabbed the goal, but inevitably there are going to be periods where you come under pressure and you have to find a way to come through those unscathed.
“If we had done that, I think we
would have gone on to regain control of the game and win it.
“Because apart from the first few minutes of the second half when Camps hit the bar and Remi made a terrific save, I felt confident in the way we set up.”
He added: “We were very comfortable in the first half. I felt we had the balance in our play about right.
“With Charlie and Danny Graham up front we always had that option but we also played some good football.
“The key is what happens in both boxes and we will have a look at the quality of those balls we put into the box.
“Charlie had a great header which went just wide in the second half but he also deserves credit for his goal because that was a brave header.”
The draw meant Sunderland climbed one place to seventh in the table.
Parkinson said: “If we had beaten Doncaster, this would be classed as a good point but another draw is frustrating.
“Saying that, we are still unbeaten away from home and it is a great effort from the lads to come through the fixtures we have had and still be unbeaten away.”