Caretaker manager Robbie Stockdale cut a frustrated figure after an early Middlesbrough goal condemned Sunderland to defeat on Teesside.
Sunderland were quick out the traps and carved out a guilt-edge chance when Darren Randolph parried Didier Ndong’s effort into the path of Lewis Grabban.
The 29-year-old pounced but Randolph adjusted himself quickly to turn the ball away, and within a flash Boro seized upon their own chance at the other end.
Marcus Tavernier turned the ball home at the near post after Martin Braithwaite pulled the ball back from the byline, sending Boro on their way to victory.
But chances continued to fly in at the other end, with Aiden McGeady and Paddy McNair seeing plenty of the ball in the final third but just lacking that one moment of magic to unlock Boro's defence.
The Black Cats continued to press in the second 45 as the game became stretched, but the lads struggled to muster an equaliser at the Riverside.
Speaking post-match, Stockdale delivered his thoughts.
"I thought there wasn't really much in it to be honest," he said.
"We set-up in a certain way and tried to counter attack them and at times we looked quite a threat.
"There was at times we looked quite a threat and there was a moment in the first six minutes which has decided the game.
"We have had the tag 'unlucky losers' too many times so maybe we aren't unlucky and maybe we need to do things a little bit better.
"We are going into the international break now so hopefully we can get some key players back. We have picked up some more injuries today which isn't helpful.
"Paddy played longer than what we wanted him to play," he continued.
"There is a lot of time to digest this result and I am sure we will do that.
"Robbin (Ruiter) made a couple of good saves and in the second-half he made a double save. That has got to be the first port of call to stop goals going in our net. The big moments sooner rather than later have to change in our favour."
