Football: Plucky Whitehead keeps Sunderland at bay

Oxford United 1 Sunderland 1

Oxford United 1 Sunderland 1

Sunderland extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches with a battling draw at the Manor Ground yesterday. Two solid defences limited the number of clear-cut chances and a point each was a fair result.

Oxford, under their caretaker manager Malcolm Crosby, were twice dangerous through Joey Beauchamp early on. But it was Sunderland who took the lead with a fortunate goal after 14 minutes.

Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips combined to give Nicky Summerbee a shooting chance and his low shot took a wicked deflection off Phillips and beat the unsighted Phil Whitehead.

Oxford equalised after 27 minutes when the defender Darren Holloway handled a Stuart Massey corner and Nigel Jemson sent Lionel Perez the wrong way from the penalty spot. It was the first goal Sunderland had conceded in six matches.

Sunderland took control in the second half but Whitehead kept them out with a series of fine saves.