BLACK CATS GET THEIR CLAWS OUT
SUNDERLAND boss Jack Ross hailed his players after their got back to winning ways with a 4-2 victory against Gillingham at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.
The Black Cats had drawn six of their last seven league games to allow their title rivals to push ahead, so it was vital for the north-east outfit to get back to winning ways.
It was 2-1 to the hosts after just ten minutes as goals from Lee Cattermole and Tom Flanagan sandwiched an effort from Gills striker Tom Eaves.
Steve Lovell’s troops went in level at the break as Brandon Hanlan equalised five minutes before the break.
However, Sunderland stepped up a gear in the second half and penalties from both Will Grigg, his first goal for the club, and Aiden McGeady wrapped up a much-needed three points. It lifted them into third place.
Boss Ross said: “To be honest, big parts of the last two home performances (draws against Blackpool and Accrington) were similar to tonight. It wasn’t just the character and resilience that the boys showed, a lot of their attacking play tonight was really good. Our fans would take a lot of enjoyment from that performance.”
Ross was also pleased that £4m signing Grigg got off the mark on his fourth appearance for the club.
“He’s been frustrated but he’s got a huge amount of self-belief,” added Ross. “I’m delighted for him and it takes that stigma of not having scored off him even though it’s only been a few games.”
It was a night of plenty of goals – with 21 in five League One matches. It was something of a surprise that in-form Barnsley didn’t get on the scoresheet. The second-placed Tykes were held to a 0-0 draw by Nigel Clough’s
Burton at Oakwell. There were only a couple of goals in the game between Portsmouth and
Bristol Rovers, with it finishing 1-1.
Jonson Clarke-Harris gave Bristol Rovers the lead from the penalty spot eight minutes before the break, but it was all-square just before the hour mark when Rovers defender James Clarke headed a Ronan Curtis cross into his own net.
Rovers had the chance to go back ahead shortly after from the penalty spot. Clarke was tripped by Jamal Lowe, but this time Clarke-Harris blazed his spot-kick over the bar.
Pompey slipped a place to fourth, while Rovers climbed a place to 19th. Accrington Stanley enjoyed their first third tier victory since Boxing Day with an entertaining 4-2 victory against relegation-haunted Oxford.
Billy Kee, Sean McConville, Jordan Clark and Luke Armstrong all netted for Stanley, while Luke Garbutt and John Mousinho replied. Basement boys AFC
Wimbledon gave their survival prospects a massive boost with a 4-3 victory at fellow strugglers Rochdale.
The Dons trailed 2-1 at the break. Ethan EbanksLandell (two minutes) and Ethan Hamilton (37) netted for Dale, with Joe Pigott (36) replying.
However, Pigott notched his second in the opening minute of the second half and they were 3-2 ahead on 76 minutes when Anthony Wordsworth raced forward and sidefooted home. Ian Henderson levelled on 81 minutes but Pigott kept his cool to net the winner and complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot deep in stoppage time.