SUNDERLAND need to shake off the anger of the Sheffield United controversy and fuel their fury into responding in the best possible fashion against Luton, says Dan Ballard.

The Black Cats were seething on Wednesday night after Tommy Doyle's second half winner at the Stadium of Light was allowed to stand, despite the fact United midfielder Sander Berge, who was clearly offside, made an effort to play the ball.

Sunderland received an apology from the match officials after the game but that did nothing to improve Tony Mowbray's mood, who said the referee and his assistant got it "badly wrong".

The defeat saw Sunderland slip to 12th in the Championship table, eight points shy of the top six, and, in all probability, ended their slim hopes of making the play-offs.

But the Black Cats are desperate to ensure their season doesn't peter out and are looking to bounce back when in-form Luton Town head to Wearside tomorrow.

"It's tough when those decisions go against you but there's not much you can do about it and you've just got to focus on what you can do," said defender Ballard.

"We have been brave, we've held our line really well and there was three or four offside, and I think one has clearly went to strike the ball and Patto (Anthony Patterson) has reacted from that.

"If they are not offside challenging for the ball, Patto just picks that one up. It's frustrating but I thought the lads reacted really well from it. It was a tough one to take."

Despite the frustration of Sheffield United's second goal, Sunderland responded well to the setback and pushed for an equaliser, and Ballard says the players need to carry that spirit into the final nine games of the Championship season.

"We were unlucky and missing that little bit of quality towards the end when it got a bit scrappy as we got a bit more desperate," said Ballard.

"Maybe we need to be a bit calmer in those situations but it just shows how much the team cares and we want to win.

"With the support especially at home, you want to do it for them and it's tough to take when you can't create those chances.

"We've got another really tough game on Saturday so have to clear this out of our minds and go again."