Dan Ballard admits Sunderland's defeat at the hands of Sheffield United was 'tough to take' with the winning goal coming in controversial circumstances. The Blades came from behind to win 2-1 at the Stadium of Light, but Tommy Doyle's decisive free-kick should have been chalked off because Sander Berge was one of three players standing in an offside position and he made a clear attempt to play the ball.
Sunderland went on to create two good opportunities to level, but Jack Clarke was denied by goalkeeper Wes Foderingham while a few minutes later Patrick Roberts struck a post. "I think they are all standing offside," said Northern Ireland centre-back Ballard of Sheffield's second goal.
"We have been brave, we’ve held our line really well and there was three or four offside, and I think one has clearly went to strike the ball and Patto [goalkeeper Anthony Patterson] has reacted from that. If they are not offside challenging for the ball, Patto just picks that one up.
