Cats switch Power on to save a point
SKIPPER Max Power spared managerless Sunderland’s blushes as they came within five minutes of being embarrassed by relegation candidates Burton Albion.
The Black Cats were comfortably the better side in a dour first half in which they failed to translate their dominance into goalscoring opportunities.
Despite showing more intent at the start of the second period - when Josh Scowen and Elliot Embleton both failed to convert good chances - they were rocked when a howler from goalkeeper Remi Matthews presented Charles Vernam with the opening goal on the hour.
Sunderland belatedly began to offer a threat in the final 10 minutes, substitute Will Grigg hitting the woodwork and fellow replacement Danny Graham twice going close.
However, it was left to Power to mark his return to the starting line-up with a headed equaliser to prevent a third home defeat of the season.
As it is, this was Sunderland’s third successive 1-1 draw and it was enough to lift them one place to seventh in the table.
Caretaker-manager Andrew Taylor made two changes to the side Phil Parkinson named in his final outing at Fleetwood Town on Friday.
He brought Power into midfield in place of Chris Maguire, while Embleton made his first league start of the season in place of Graham.
The first half was an ordeal, played at a snail’s pace and with hardly any clear-cut chances to speak of.
Burton offered little and were content to allow Sunderland to dominate possession and challenge their hosts to break them down.
Power saw an early long-range shot deflected over the bar, while Conor
McLaughlin at least made the goalkeeper work when he collected a clever pass from Luke O’Nien inside the area on the right - but his low shot was easily saved.
Sunderland then suffered a blow on 25 minutes when leading goalscorer Charlie Wyke had to go off after failing to run-off a knee problem, replaced by Graham.
Sunderland improved slightly after the interval and should have taken the lead within five minutes of the restart.
Denver Hume drilled a low ball into the six-yard box, Embleton miscued his shot and it ran for Scowen at the far post and he nudged it goalwards - but Kieran O’Hara reacted quickly to make an excellent save.
A few minutes later the Black Cats saw another good chance go begging, this time when Power’s cross from the right found
Embleton at the near post - but he could only loop a tame header into the air which O’Hara claimed.
Sunderland were then caught out by a sucker punch on the hour as Burton made a rare venture forward.
Powell tried a speculative shot from 25 yards which Matthews should have dealt with - but he managed to spill it into the path of the oncoming Vernam, who was left with an easy finish.
The Wearsiders changed shape and did look significantly more threatening in the final 10 minutes - and their pressure eventually paid off five minutes from time.
Hume delivered a precision cross from the left into the path of Power and his firm downward header gave the goalkeeper no chance.