Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson gives his verdict on 0-0 draw at Charlton Athletic

Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson was pleased with the 0-0 draw at Charlton – and didn’t criticise Danny Graham for his shocking first-half miss.

The Black Cats were clearly the better side in the first period with Ben Amos making a couple of big saves for the hosts.

And Graham failed to convert from close-range – smashing miles over the bar from close range.

Parkinson said: “It was a decent performance. When we were on top, certainly in the first half, we had the chances and we needed to take one of those.

“The sending off makes it a difficult afternoon. We had to dig in and show resilience. We had some chances with 10 men. We restricted a team with quite a lot of attacking options, particularly off the bench, to practically nothing.

“The defending, organisation and discipline was good.

“The life of a striker is a tough one, but you’ve got to have the bravery to keep getting in that six-yard box.

“We’re not going to get much better front players than what we’ve got. They’ve all got the ability to score – they’ve got to keep working. If you miss you get in there again the next time. It doesn’t matter how many runs you’ve got to make – we’ve got to keep getting in the danger areas like we did today.

“The keeper’s made an incredible save from Bailey Wright’s header as well.

“I don’t think anyone watching the game can fault the endeavour. They’ve given absolutely everything.”

PICTURES: PAUL EDWARDS