Rotherham United 1-1 Sunderland: Jack Clarke earns Black Cats draw against Millers
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Sam Clucas' stunning volley was his first goal for the Millers and came in his seventh league start
Jack Clarke's deflected strike cancelled out a stunning Sam Clucas volley to secure Sunderland a battling draw away at bottom-of-the-table Rotherham United.
Clucas smashed the Millers ahead three minutes after the interval - a deserved reward for an impressive first-half display which saw Sam Nombe go close on three occasions.
The Black Cats dominated possession throughout, but had barely threatened the home goal until Clarke's effort took a cruel change of direction and looped into the net on 73 minutes.
Both sides had chances to earn victory in the closing stages but had to settle for a point, which sees Sunderland drop out of the play-off places following Hull City's win over Blackburn Rovers.
Sunderland, in their third match under new boss Michael Beale, were second best for much of the game and rarely looked like making it back-to back wins following their Boxing Day victory over the Tigers.
Dan Neil had a fierce strike from distance go just wide early on but the Millers had the bulk of the chances, the best of which all fell to the lively Nombe in the space of two minutes.
The striker saw the first effort saved by Anthony Patterson as he raced through on goal and was then denied by the keeper on two further occasions - Patterson showing fine athleticism to tip one strike over the bar and push another shot wide of the post.
Clarke did bend an effort just off target but the Millers deservedly led when Clucas' sumptuous strike from 20 yards flew home after a testing cross was only half-cleared.
However, Clarke did find the net in fortunate circumstances to deny the Millers maximum points.
Rotherham head coach Leam Richardson:
"The level of effort and commitment was there. We probably played better than we did in the previous game [the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough].
"Sam Clucas' goal was worthy of winning any game. His performance deserved the goal as well. He and Christ [Tiehi] were asked to do many jobs and they did them very well.
"Credit again goes to the players. I thought we were worthy of a positive result. Certainly in the first half we were in the ascendancy.
"We are still quite new to each other. I demand a minimum level of something. The players know that. We have certainly had that in the four games I've been here. I thought there was a game there to be possibly won."
Sunderland head coach Michael Beale told BBC Radio Newcastle:
"We run out of time in the end. We were too slow getting started. The last 20 minutes or so was more like us. We were attacking and creating chances.
"We started the game poorly. They were quite direct in their play and their style overcame ours. We were sloppy and lacked a bit of presence up the pitch. They make it difficult. They make you defend your box and we are not the biggest team.
"Their goal was a heck of a strike but after that our response was really good. Once we got into our gameplan we caused Rotherham a lot of problems and at the end they were glad to hear the final whistle.
"Other teams have come here and found it difficult. Not just ourselves. I want us to be less fussy and spiteful in the final third. There has to be an end product from our possession."