Mark Atkinson praised his side’s defensive solidarity following victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Academy of Light on Saturday.
Sunderland under-18s began the Premier League fixture brightly, Chris Allan drifting a strike wide on nine minutes and then the wizardry of Jack Diamond fashioning another opening moments later.
And it was Diamond who managed to hand the Lads with the initiative. A sweeping run from the winger saw him twist this way and that before ushering his strike into the corner of the net.
Brighton worked their way back into the game but the hosts continued to have the better of the game, goalscorer Diamond striking the crossbar with a neat header off Owen Gamble’s cross.
Chances continued to rain in for the Lads in the second period, but most importantly of all Atkinson’s side held firm to extend their unbeaten run to four games.
"It was a pleasing to get the win over Brighton,” he told safc.com.
“We managed the game really well in difficult breezy conditions at the Academy.
“Above all, it was our third consecutive clean sheet so that’s a really pleasing aspect.
“Jack (Diamond) performed well and we are pleased for him to get a goal because we are always telling him to score more goals.”
