League One promotion hopefuls Sunderland suffered a huge blow at the Stadium of Light last night as they drew 1-1 with Blackpool. 

It left them fourth in the table, but now too far away from both Barnsley and Luton to catch them if they win their games in hand. It was their fifth draw in six matches, a run of form that has seen them fall away from the automatic promotion spots.

This came despite having £4m striker Will Grigg on the field. He was brought in to replace Josh Maja's goals, but instead he was guilty of a shocking miss. He rounded the Blackpool keeper, only to shoot wide when he had an open goal.

Jack Ross wasn't in the blaming game after the match, instead choosing to focus on the striker's talents and backing him to come good.

“He prides himself on scoring, he is a goal scorer, and he will believe he could have marked his home debut with a couple of goals," Ross told the Shields Gazette. "If we keep creating the chances for him, he will take them.”

Sunderland have two more home games in the next week, Accrington Stanley are their visitors this weekend before struggling Gillingham make up their final game in hand next Tuesday.

The Verdict

It's okay backing Grigg to score, but for £4m he really should have buried his chance last night. The problem Sunderland have is if he misses another in his next game. Confidence ebbs away and he could become an expensive misfit.

His manager has to back him, but crucially the fans do too. One miss isn't the end of the season for the Black Cats, but two more home games have to deliver six points, whether Grigg scores the goals or not.