History would suggest that at this point of the Division Three campaign, the mood around the club was fairly buoyant. Denis Smith had taken over, we’d been top of the table since mid-October, and we were unbeaten in the league since a 2-1 Halloween reverse at Notts County.
However, a disappointing single-goal reverse endured by a full-strength Sunderland team against neighbours Hartlepool in the Sherpa Van Trophy at Roker Park on the previous Tuesday, after a labourious 1-1 home draw with third placed Walsall just a few days earlier, as well as an early FA Cup exit, had caused some consternation among supporters – with the Sunderland Echo’s mailbag being full to bursting with discontent as the lads headed to Deepdale to take on Preston and their plastic pitch.
“Following the faltering displays against Gillingham and Walsall I would hope the alarm bells are ringing loud and clear at Roker Park!” (We beat Gillingham by the way.)
“It’s worrying there’s a lack of striking cover!”
“Sunderland need to stop hoofing the ball back to Hesford!”
“I must disagree with the Sunderland manager very strongly when he says that every club in the division recognises Sunderland are the best team in the league.”
“The only way to make known one’s criticism of below par performances is vocally. It is incumbent on the crowd to demonstrate to management that they at least are aware of the problems.”
“It has been well documented there is money available to strengthen the squad. I would suggest that this money needs to be used now to stop the rot.”
Sunderland travelled to the north west with this sentiment bubbling under, despite – and I’m repeating this again for emphasis – being top of the league and unbeaten in the league in more than four months.
With eight wins and three draws from 13 away games so far, Sunderland’s away form was strong, and we were fancied to pick up all three points against a North End team featuring 33-year-old Sam Allardyce in defence, and a young Irish winger who was attracting a lot of headlines, Brian Mooney.
John Cornforth had come through the ranks, and there were calls for his creativity to be added to the midfield
John Cornforth had come through the ranks, and there were calls for his creativity to be added to the midfield
Sunderland named an unchanged team from the ‘faltering’ display against Walsall, Smith ignoring calls from supporters to give John Cornforth an extended run in the team, and the game got off to a flying start, with goalscoring centre back John MacPhail putting the lads ahead after 22 minutes, powerfully heading home Paul Atkinson’s corner, after Allardyce’s interception gave Sunderland a set piece.
It had been a fast-paced, end to end encounter up to that point, with both teams conceding a number of set pieces around their own box. Preston keeper David Brown saved well on a couple of occasions from Eric Gates, and Gabbiadini had a goal disallowed for a push on a defender in the build-up.
At the other end, Mooney was causing Reuben Agboola a few problems, and immediately after taking the lead, Sunderland could have scored again, with Gates shooting just wide of the upright.
However, just four minutes after Monty’s goal, Preston were level, and it was Mooney the architect. He cut in from the byline, dribbled around Hesford before crossing for Peter Swann to head home.
And within five minutes, Preston were in front – Hesford saved well from Gary Brazil who’d ran clear in the box, but the ball fell kindly to Mooney, who drove home.
Sunderland tried to respond, and a deliberate handball from Allardyce prevented Atkinson from breaking into the box, however soon enough we were back level – Gabbiadini’s shot was blocked, and the ball broke free for Paul Atkinson on the left to cross to the far post, where Gates could turn it home.
The second half saw Sunderland come under increased pressure from Preston, and they made a change by bringing on experienced defender Frank Gray in place of midfielder Paul Lemon, and switching to five at the back, with Gray playing as a sweeper behind Bennett and MacPhail.
MacPhail had been signed from Bristol City, and added goals as well as defensive stability to the team
MacPhail had been signed from Bristol City, and added goals as well as defensive stability to the team
Sunderland did look dangerous on the counter attack, however the dynamics of the game changed on 65 minutes when Sunderland’s former Preston midfielder Steve Doyle was sent off for stamping on North End striker Nigel Jemson. It was Doyle’s second red of the season and his third in 18 months, and lefrt Sunderland with an uphill task. Preston hit the cross bar, and while ten man Sunderland did continue to offer a threat, the focus was on protecting the point, which the lads did.
After the game, Smith was happy with the point, but disapointed in Doyle’s action.
“I will be having a word with Mr Doyle next week. I did see what happened, and I will deal with it.
“The referee was quite justified, although the incident did not result in any damage to the Preston lad. Having said that it was very silly indeed.”
“We have now gone 14 games unbeaten and that has got to be a good run. We played some good stuff at times but so did Preston and it is easy to see why they have done well recently.
“It was good entertainment all-round, although I wasn’t too happy with some of our defending in the first-half.”
“We started well but their goals rocked us and we had to fight back.
“I was very disappointed with our showing against Hartlepool in the week but I was very happy with our attitude against a much-improved Preston side.”
The result was a good one in the context of the other results that afternoon, with second placed Notts County surprisingly losing 3-2 at home to Blackpool, Wigan going down 1-0 at Chester and Walsall only drawing at home to Chesterfield.
Backing up Smith’s earlier claim, Preston manager John McGrath described Sunderland as the best team he had seen this season and said they were certain to be promoted, continuing,
“It was a humdinger of a game and we showed that we are not a million miles behind Sunderland. On a dreadful day the action certainly kept the spectators warm.”