Assistant boss Steve Parkin believes Sunderland's players showed a lot of character today at the Stadium of Light against Blackpool.
Charlie Wyke scored his first league goal since August when he volleyed home Chris Maguire’s corner to cancel out Matty Virtue’s early strike from distance.
Sunderland continued to press after the restart but saw their best chance – a Wyke header from another Maguire set-piece – rattle the woodwork from close range.
And the Black Cats’ head of steam was snuffed out when George Dobson picked up a second yellow card 16 minutes from time to leave the Lads with a man less.
Will Grigg’s introduction tried to freshen Sunderland’s attack up, but he couldn’t quite stretch enough to Luke O’Nien’s near post cross as Jak Alnwick gathered.
Click play in the video panel above to watch the post-match interview in full.