SUNDERLAND battled Blackpool to a goalless draw against Blackpool at the Stadium of Light.

It's the second game in a row where the strikerless Black Cats have drawn blank after Saturday's draw with Preston North End.

Digital Sports Writer Matty Jones was watching tonight's game on Wearside... 

Sunderland XI (4-3-3)

7 Patterson – Made a succession for saves for Sunderland in the second half that kept them in the game.

7 Gooch – A solid display. Kept Blackpool at bay on the right and provided an outlet to attack, particularly in the first half.

6 Batth – Imperious as ever across the back. Marshalled the back line and play the ball out well.

7 O’Nien – Very steady in the heart of defence and put his body on the line with challenges and blocks.

8 Alese – Another positive display from the full-back. Bombed on when he could to help the attack.

7 Evans – Read the game very well in the first half before coming off and built up the attack with neat passing.

6 Embleton – Could not influence the game by being in forward positions but played some good passes.

6 Pritchard – Another tidy display but couldn’t find the breakthrough. Should have done better with a free-kick on the edge of the box.

8 Clarke – Desperately unlucky not to score in the game but was a threat all evening. Denied at the death with an incredible save from Maxwell.

7 Roberts – Provided plenty of threat on the right and Blackpool continuously fouled him all evening.

6 Diallo – Wasted a guilt edged chance in the box but looked lively in attack. Needs to be more selfish as Mowbray says.

Subs:

6 Bennette 58’ – Looked lively when he came on. Teed up Clarke with a brilliant cross in stoppage time.

6 Ba 68’ – Linked play well from midfield but couldn’t help team find a breakthrough.

6 Neil 68’ – Alongside a flurry of players younger than him, he provided the most experience at the age of 20.

N/A Michut 76’

N/A Dajaku 76’

Subs not used: Bass, B Wright

Blackpool XI (4-4-2): Maxwell 8; Connolly 7, Ekpiteta 7, Thorniley 6, Thompson 6; C Wright 7, Dougall 6, Patino 6, Lavery 6 (Corbeanu 67’); Madine 6 (Poveda 86’), Yates 7

Subs not used: Grimshaw, Carney, Hamilton, Garbutt, Bridcutt

Man of the Match: Charlie Maxwell – Kept Blackpool in the game in the first half and produced a crucial save in stoppage time.