Elliott Dickman was left delighted as Sunderland under-23s secured a point at Leicester City to move them off the foot of the Premier League 2 table.
The development team boss was forced to name a much-changed side, with Josh Maja providing a boost as he completed a planned 45-minute outing.
Title-chasers Leicester boasted a strong side which included Ahmed Musa and Eldin Jakupovic, and it was no surprise when they swiftly peppered the Black Cats goal with a flurry of chances.
But Sunderland withstood the brunt of the Foxes pressure and earned a credible point to lift them above Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the Premier League 2 table..
Speaking post-match, Dickman delivered his honest assessment.
“A lot of the lads we played haven’t had that much football this year so for them to play 90 minutes – the likes of Alex Storey, Josh Robson and Chris Allan – have done smashing,” he said.
“It is great for them and it is also great that we have got a number of lads with the first team.
“It is great we have managed to get a result and produce a good performance.
“They were a very young side, but it is fantastic at the same time that four of five are with the first team.
“We talk a lot about the attitude, the character of the squad and they have shown that,” he continued.
“Some of the lads haven’t played much football but they have stuck at it and I couldn’t have asked for any more from the lads.
“We want a bit more quality, but we were up against a very physically strong side and the fact we have matched them and come away with a point is a positive.”