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Sunderland 2 Gillingham 2: Gills boss Steve Evans felt his side did enough to win at the Stadium of Light

Gillingham boss Steve Evans wasn’t content with a point at Sunderland.

Mikael Mandron’s stoppage-time equaliser made it 2-2 at the Stadium of Light but Evans felt his side deserved more.

At 1-1 the Gills had chances to go infront but were left chasing a point after conceding a second, both scored by Kyle Lafferty.

“I am disappointed we have drawn,” Evans said.

“As a neutral you might consider that they had dominant spells, our dominant spell came when we equalised (at 1-1) and we are disappointed we didn’t go 2-1 infront.

“There are question marks over Sunderland’s two goals, one was a clear throw-in to us but it went the other way, which was really disappointing, and looking back at the second goal, I love Kyle Lafferty to bits and I tried to take him to Leeds United (when manager there) but he was offside, simple as that, he is a yard off.”

Brandon Hanlan sees a shot saved by Jon McLaughlin Picture: Ady Kerry (31024967)
Brandon Hanlan sees a shot saved by Jon McLaughlin Picture: Ady Kerry (31024967)

Despite going behind for the second time, Mandron finished well from the edge of the box at the death.

“We showed good character at what is a fantastic place to go,” continued the Gills boss.

“The atmosphere was fantastic but we have beaten Sunderland twice and drawn against them twice and for what we are about that is commendable but we still go away with a tinge of disappointment.”

Home keeper Jon McLaughlin saved well from Mandron at 1-1 and from the subsequent corner made a great block at his far post to deny Jack Tucker.

“It was going into the top bag,” Evans recalled, when commenting on Mandron’s effort at 1-1.

Jordan Roberts challenges with George Dobson Picture: Ady Kerry (31024958)
Jordan Roberts challenges with George Dobson Picture: Ady Kerry (31024958)

“We had the game in our grasp and forgetting the fact that Kyle is offside, the ball was given away cheaply by a young kid (Tom O’Connor) in the middle of the park but we are there with 19, 20-year-old kids on loan and we are trying to compete with a giant of a footballing club, the only giant in League 1 really.

“In the cold light of day I will be disappointed with the goals we have conceded, I will certainly be disappointed with some of the (refereeing) decisions and I think Phil Parkinson (the Sunderland manager) will be disappointed with the goals we’ve scored, a long throw in and a bit of a skirmish and the second one, does Olly Lee get too much time to twist and turn to set Mika up? In fairness to Mika it is a great finish.

“When you go to the Stadium of Light and you are in League 1 you know you are going to have to defend properly at times but I don’t remember my goalkeeper having to make too many good saves, I remember Jon McLaughlin making two outstanding stops. I think had we gone infront we would have won the game.”

Report: Sunderland 2 Gills 2

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