WASTEFUL CATS HELD BY IMPS
ALEX Neil had no complaints with his Sunderland side’s display as they were held to a goalless draw at Lincoln City.
The Black Cats remained in the play-off zone with the point, but they would have been celebrating all three with better finishing.
The visitors missed the target with numerous efforts and, when home keeper Jordan Wright was finally tested in added time by Ross Stewart’s header, he produced a magnificent save.
However, Neil preferred to focus on the positives of the display as his side look to clinch a place in the top six.
“I thought it was a really good performance and we created more than enough chances to win,” said Neil. “We limited them to very little, the only real danger they had was when the game became a bit scrappy in the second half.
“It’s a strange one, the performance comfortably deserves to win the game, for me. We need to find that little bit that takes it from being a good performance to a good victory, because ultimately that’s what matters.
“The last two performances have been criticised and we’ve scored five goals, our last two away performances have been very good and we’ve scored no goals. That’s frustrating for me. The game plan and the strategy worked, we just couldn’t finish the chances.”
The Black Cats had the better of a goalless and scrappy first half. The dangerous Patrick Roberts saw an effort deflected over, while Jack Clarke fired inches wide.
Clarke narrowly missed with another effort as the visitors made a bright start to the second half.
They went even closer after 55 minutes when Roberts’ cutback found Corry Evans, who hit a post. There was another chance for Clarke as he shot inches wide after the City defence had been sliced open.
Neil sent on Jermain Defoe for the closing stages and the former England man almost made an immediate impact with a smart turn and shot which went just the wrong side of a post.
However, City enjoyed a good spell of their own and sub Liam Cullen almost broke the deadlock eight minutes from time when his header was brilliantly saved by Anthony Patterson.
Sunderland then almost pinched all three points in added time when Jordan Wright pulled off a stunning save to keep out a header from Ross Stewart.
Imps manager Michael Appleton was happy with the battling display which lifted his side nine points above the relegation zone.
“There was a lot of grit and determination from the players,” he said Appleton. “We had to defend well at times. Their attacking players were excellent for them.
“For us to dig in today like we did at times was really pleasing. To get two clean sheets in the week, when we’d only had two clean sheets all season, I’ve got to be happy.”