Tom Beadling has urged Sunderland under-23s to dust themselves down and take the positives from their spirited display against Derby County.
While the young Black Cats dominated throughout, the Rams made the hosts rue their missed chances as they capitalised on lapse defending twice to earn a share of the spoils.
Alex Babos struck first as the ball rebounded off him and into the net in the 57th from a corner, and while Daniel Wright levelled 19 minutes later, Kellan Gordon restored the visitors advantage straight from kick off.
But Sunderland rallied late on and earned a point as Tom Beadling slotted home a penalty after Josh Maja was bundled to the floor in the closing stages.
Speaking to safc.com, Beadling admitted it was a disappointing evening for the development squad, but insisted there’s no time to dwell on the result.
“We dominated the game but we could’ve been more clinical in the final third,” he said.
“We gave away some poor goals on our behalf but we have got to look forward now.
“They defended well and got everyone behind the ball and it was tough for us at times. We have got to be a bit more clinical and defend better from corners.
“We will have to look at it again but it’s really disappointing to concede the goals we have done and we are all disappointed because we should’ve won the game,” he continued.
“We have to move on from it, take the positives and look to prepare for our next game against Reading now.”