A DISAPPOINTED Roy Keane believes his side wasted a great opportunity to put the pressure on the teams currently occupying the promotion play-off places.

Selhurst Park has become something of a bogey ground for Sunderland in the league where they have won only once in 25 years.

The visitors started the game well and it looked as if they were going to put that jinx to bed but in the end they were made to pay for a spot of first half profligacy.

Yet despite enjoying most of the possession the Sunderland manager insisted his side got exactly what they deserved.

"We didn't deserve to win," said Keane. "We've got a long trip home that is all we deserve. You have to earn the right to win a game of football and not hope you might win.

"It was a big night for us and we're clearly not ready for the next step. We enjoyed a lot of possession but what does that mean?

"It was a chance to get near the teams in the play-offs but clearly some people are not ready for it.

"We've been on a half-decent run but tonight was a down for us. But we have a game in three days to put it right against Leeds."

Grant Leadbitter was clearly the visitor's best performer, yet Keane still substituted the young midfielder after an hour.

"He wasn't injured I just wanted to change things around," said Keane. "It's my job to do that and I thought the three lads who came on did very well. We'll be needing the whole squad of players over the next two weeks."

While the 35-year-old chief was unhappy with the result he had no problems with the effort his players put in.

He said: "I have no problems with the effort and attitude wise they were spot on as you would expect but sometimes people are a little bit wary of taking that next step."

Keane admitted changes will be made next month when the transfer window opens and acknowledged both Jonny Evans and Phil Bardsley may be arriving at the Stadium of Light from his old club Manchester United.

"I don't like to get ahead of myself but I'm trying to get both lads in," Keane confessed. "Jonny has been away (in Antwerp) and Bardsley has been at Rangers and we're hoping to get them up for a chat and bring them on loan.

"There are other options too. They are two very good defenders but it is up to the players. If I fancy another player hopefully money will be made available.

"I hope to bring in three of four players."