Sunderland climbed back into the top six despite being held to a draw by play-off rivals Plymouth Argyle. The Black Cats extended their unbeaten run to ten games, but could not make it four wins in a row as they drew a blank in a tight game at Home Park, with Nathan Broadhead coming closest to breaking the deadlock in the second half with a shot that brought a good save out of the keeper.
The draw was enough to see Alex Neil's side move onto 77 points and leapfrog Sheffield Wednesday to go sixth in the table, although the seventh-placed Owls are just one point behind them and now have a game in hand. Plymouth are fourth in the table on 79 points and Wycombe are fifth on 77 points, but Sunderland have have a game in hand of both.
Neil made one change to the side that started the Good Friday win against Shrewsbury, with skipper Corry Evans coming into the side in place of Lynden Gooch. Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher made two changes to the team that began Friday's defeat at Wycombe, with Niall Ennis and leading scorer Ryan Hardie replacing Jordan Garrick and Luke Jephcott.
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The first half was a hard-fought affair between two well-organised sides, with clear-cut chances few and far between. Plymouth carved out the first opportunity when Steven Sessegnon got to the byline down the right and cut the ball back for Ennis, but Anthony Patterson got down smartly to make a good save.
Elliot Embleton sent a shot over the bar at one end, with Macauley Gillesphey doing the same at the other. Sunderland's best chance of the half came ten minute before the break when Embleton lifted the ball over the home defence to release Ross Stewart, he took a touch but goalkeeper Michael Cooper was quickly off his line to prevent the striker getting a shot away.
Hardie sent a header inches wide from a Conor Grant cross, while Embleton curled a shot from the edge of the box harmlessly straight at Cooper. Sunderland should have made more of a dangerous break on the stroke of half-time, but Broadhead's ball looking for the unmarked Embleton was slightly overhit and that allowed the visitors to clear.
In the second half, Evans' anticipation saw him react fastest to a loose ball and he played Broadhead in on goal but the the keeper saved with his legs, and when the ball came out to Luke O'Nien he scuffed his shot, with Jack Clarke then firing well wide. Embleton saw an effort blocked, and Evans blazed a long-range volley high over the bar, but if anything there were even fewer chances in the second period than the first.
And although the Black Cats pressed hard for a winning goal, Plymouth held out with Schumacher's side having now gone three games without a win.
How they lined up
Plymouth: Cooper, Wilson, Scarr, Gillesphey, Sessegnon, Camara (Randell 65), Houghton, Mayor, Grant, Ennis (Jephcott 76), Hardie (Garrick 82). Subs not used: Burton, Broom, Law, Crichlow
Booked: Sessegnon
Sunderland: Patterson, Winchester, Wright, Cirkin, Clarke, Evans, Matete (Neil 80), Embleton (Roberts 76), O'Nien (Gooch 74), Broadhead, Stewart. Subs not used: Burge, Batth, Xhemajli, Hume
Booked: Cirkin, Evans
Referee: Carl Brook (Sussex)
Attendance: 15,800
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