Sunderland fight back from two down to snatch draw against Accrington

Posted Saturday, February 16, 2019 by PA

Sunderland clawed back a two-goal deficit to claim a 2-2 draw at home to Accrington Stanley.

Will Grigg had missed two gilt-edged chances as Sunderland drew with Blackpool on Tuesday, and the £4m deadline-day signing was at it again early on, tamely side-footing wide after Reece James crossed from the left before flicking a first-time shot over the bar from Luke O’Nien’s long throw.

Accrington had not scored a league goal since Boxing Day, but their barren run ended on the half-hour as Jack Baldwin felled Paul Smyth with a reckless challenge in the penalty area. Billy Kee stepped up and hammered home from the spot.

Stanley doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half, with Smyth stealing between O’Nien and Jimmy Dunne to head home Sean McConville’s cross.

Sunderland needed a lifeline and it arrived three minutes later, with George Honeyman tapping home from close range after Grigg slid Chris Maguire’s cross into his path.

Maguire made an immediate impact after coming off the bench and his 62nd-minute cut-back enabled Aiden McGeady to sweep home an equaliser.