Fleetwood defeat sees Sunderland’s automatic promotion hopes ended

Posted Wednesday, May 01, 2019 by PA

Sunderland’s Sky Bet League One automatic promotion dreams are over after they lost 2-1 away at Fleetwood.

Lee Cattermole gave the visitors the lead but Paddy Madden and Ashley Eastham secured the points for the home side.

Sunderland created early chances when Max Power was kept out by goalkeeper Alex Cairns after good work from Chris Maguire before Will Grigg struck the crossbar.

Jack Ross’ side led on the half hour at Highbury, as an unmarked Cattermole guided Lewis Morgan’s corner from the right across goal past Cairns and into the bottom left corner.

After the break, Maguire arrowed his right-footed strike just wide of the left post after Grigg’s knockdown, while visiting keeper John McLaughlin was forced to keep out forward Madden’s low effort.

Joey Barton’s side were level with 73 minutes played after captain Madden slid the ball right-footed under McLaughlin following Lewie Coyle’s pull-back from the right.

Fleetwood’s winner came deep into injury time as centre-back Eastham powered the ball into the top left corner from Ross Wallace’s corner on the right.

The result sees Sunderland remain in fourth position in the table, while Fleetwood are in 11th.