IF only Sunderland’s game with Coventry City could have finished at half-time. Dennis Cirkin and Wilson Isidor’s goals would have been remembered in the sort of manner that they both deserved,

Make no mistake about it, the Black Cats conjured up two of the best goals the Stadium of Light has seen in one game to secure a two-goal cushion that should have seen them strengthen their position at the top of the Championship.

Instead, after a completely different second half, Coventry City found the net twice to leave with a point, just two days after deciding Mark Robins – fresh from a FA Cup semi-final and a play-off final in the last two seasons – was no longer the man to lead them.

Sunderland must learn from this. And for 45 minutes it seemed like head coach Regis Le Bris would be able to celebrate a routine victory that would have been worthy of his side’s goals.

Cirkin said: “The mood isn’t going to be the best after being two up is it. But we have unity in this group, a togetherness where you have the captain speaking, the manager speaking and everyone is talking.

“It is frustrating that we didn’t win but everyone knows we can learn and turn mistakes into positives. I see us as a team to be up there at the end of the season with the quality for this league.

“We have shown that in the first 15 games of the season. It’s a long season and this international break we are heading into now will help us.”

Everything looked rosy after 16 minutes when striker Wilson Isidor’s left foot flicked a fantastic volley over the despairing dive of goalkeeper Brad Collins from Romaine Mundle’s perfectly delivered cross.

READ MORE:

And that was strengthened 18 minutes later with one of the finest goals the Stadium of Light has ever seen.

After Trai Hume’s tackle deep inside his own half had bounced into space, Cirkin took control. His charging run was followed by a quick exchange of passes with Mundle.

Cirkin then charged 40 yards with the ball, with Coventry players chasing him, before he unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard drive that appeared to gain in power, leaving Collins with no chance.

Fans didn’t know whether to gasp, applaud or cheer. Either way, Sunderland’s biggest crowd of the season knew they had witnessed something special.

The problem Sunderland had was that after the restart they couldn’t build on that. Coventry, with a few tweaks and changes here and there, fought back.

Cirkin said: “It was one of those moments where you are in the zone, not really thinking about it, but as soon as I hit I knew it was in.

“I was very confident we would go on from there. But the second half changed things a little. We have to learn and bounce back (against Millwall) that’s for sure.”

After Haji Wright had slotted a low finish inside the bottom corner from inside the area just after the hour, Coventry levelled with six minutes remaining when Jack Rudoni headed in at the far post from Tatshuhiro Sakamoto’s cross.

Sunderland threatened a couple of times during the second half but Collins denied Isidor and Aaron Connolly to ensure Coventry could leave with a point.

Sunderland, despite three draws inside a week, remain unbeaten in eight matches and the mood is positive ahead of the trip to Millwall.

Cirkin said: “This season we have been better at seeing games out until this game. With the group we have this year, everyone will learn from it and use it in future I am sure.

“This comes after two draws and to go to QPR, where it is quite hostile, and then Preston as well is a positive. It’s not doom and gloom. We are still unbeaten.

“You can see the identity in the team, the togetherness, especially in the first half. There will always be ups and downs, but we are unbeaten. We know we have the value and quality in the team to take us to next level.”