IT’S hard to know what will have infuriated Mike Dodds more: his Sunderland side’s dreadful first half showing at Southampton or the manner in which they wasted their good work after the most improbable comeback.

At half-time and with the Black Cats trailing 2-0 after Stuart Armstrong’s opener and a controversial Adam Armstrong penalty, a repeat of the 5-0 scoreline from earlier this season – but this time in favour of the Saints – looked very much a possibility.

The opening 45 minutes had been a doddle for the dominant hosts and Sunderland made their way down the tunnel at half-time to a soundtrack of loud boos from the away end.

The supporters who made the long trip from Wearside must have feared the worst in the second half but rather than humiliation came a spirited and unlikely comeback. Romaine Mundle halved the deficit just after the hour mark before Jobe Bellingham curled in a stunning equaliser and at that stage it was Sunderland – so poor in the opening period – who suddenly looked the more likely winners.

Perhaps belief they could win the game was their undoing. Sunderland committed bodies and were caught out and in the blink of an eye their hard work was wasted, Southampton substitute Joe Rothwell scoring twice in three minutes.

How on earth does Dodds set about picking the bones out of his side’s sixth successive defeat? For all the spirit of the second half fightback will have pleased him, the first half showing was unacceptable. Were Sunderland naïve at 2-2? It didn’t help that they’d lost Dan Ballard, forced off injured just before Bellingham’s equaliser.

Hopes of a top six finish had realistically disappeared before the long trip to St Mary’s but with nine games to play this season, Sunderland need to stop the rot and carry some positivity and momentum into what has the look of being a huge summer.

Dodds made three changes at St Mary’s, starting with a new-look attack of Abdoullah Ba, Romaine Mundle and Mason Burstow.

Sunderland started brightly enough, with Burstow stealing the ball off home captain Jack Stephens to create an opportunity for himself inside the first couple of minutes. His finish lacked belief and the early sight of Southampton’s goal was not a sign of things to come.

From that point onwards, it was largely one-way traffic and come the mid-point of the first half Sunderland were fortunate they trailed by just a single goal. The opener, from Sunderland’s perspective, was a shocker. They failed to deal with a free-kick, Bellingham headed across his own goal and a queue of Southampton players waited to apply the finishing touch. Patterson initially saved well but Stuart Armstrong couldn’t miss the rebound.

Armstrong went close to adding his and Southampton’s second soon after when he dragged a shot wide and Adam Armstrong fired over after the hosts pounced on a misplaced Anthony Patterson cross. Sunderland were chasing shadows, their cause not helped by the fact both central defenders were booked inside the opening half an hour.

There was, though, something to cling to after a rare attack very nearly led to an equaliser. It was a fine move, with Bellingham lifting the ball into the path of Hume on the right, who crossed for Burstow. The Chelsea’s loanee instinctive finish beat Gavin Bazunu but bounced back off the inside of the post and Southampton managed to scramble clear.

Any hope was short-lived, for Southampton were soon two goals ahead. Chris Rigg could have no complaints with the award of the penalty after his mistimed tackle on Ryan Manning but Sunderland’s players felt they had a cause for complaint after Adam Armstrong slipped when taking the spot-kick. As the former Newcastle striker celebrated in front of the away fans, Sunderland’s players protested claiming the striker had touched the ball twice. A conversation between Stuart Attwell and his assistant followed but the goal would stand.

In truth, 2-0 flattered Sunderland at the break, the travelling fans letting the players and Dodds know exactly what they’d made of the opening 45 minutes with a loud chorus of boos that greeted that half-time whistle.

And the early stages of the second half weren’t much better. Southampton were in first gear and seemingly coasting to three points until, from nothing, came a goal and some hope for Sunderland. Neil, Sunderland’s only good performer up to that point, won back possession on the edge of Southampton’s box before Mundle thundered a shot in off the post.

Southampton, previously so dominant and comfortable, suddenly looked nervous. Mundle went close again before substitute Nazariy Rusyn crashed a shot into the side netting.

Sunderland were dealt a major blow when Ballard was forced off injured but within just 60 seconds of his withdrawal the Black Cats were level in quite stunning fashion. Bellingham gave Bazunu no chance with a curling effort into the top corner from 25 yards out.

At that stage it was Sunderland who looked the more likely winners but then came another twist. Southampton broke down the right through Armstrong and although Hjelde blocked his cross, substitute Joe Rothwell, who had only been on the pitch five minutes hammered home the rebound. Southampton and Rothwell weren’t done there and just three minutes later the substitute scored his second to wrap up the points.