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.
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"It's frustrating but I thought the lads reacted really well from it. It is tough when decisions like that go against you but there's not much you can do about it and you've just got to focus on what you can do.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game. They are obviously second in the table and you could see their quality throughout the game.
"It's a frustrating one because I feel like we gave it our all and probably weren't at our best, but I thought we reacted really well after the second goal and were pushing hard for the equaliser. I feel like we had two big chances [to equalise] and it’s a tough one to take."
Sunderland had gone in front on the half-hour through Edouard Michut, but they could not hold out until half-time with on-loan Manchester City midfielder James McAtee putting Sheffield United back on terms in injury time at the end of the first period. Ballard said: "I think on a whole our first-half performance wasn't great and I think we scored at a perfect time.
"After we scored I felt pretty comfortable and it was unfortunate we got caught on the break for that goal at probably the worst time. I think we need to do better with that and have been caught a few times on transition this season, but it is a great goal and was tough to take.
"I thought second half was a good reaction from the lads."
Despite seeing the visitors come from behind to lead, Sunderland responded well and Ballard added: "I think the fans helped as well. I feel like when we created those two chances [for Clarke and Roberts] they felt we could score and that gave us a real boost.
"I felt like we were in the game and felt like we were unlucky and missing that little bit of quality towards the end when it got a bit scrappy as we got a bit more desperate. Maybe we need to be a bit calmer in those situations but it just shows how much the team cares and we want to win.
"With the support especially at home you want to do it for them and it's tough to take when you can't create those chances."
Sunderland dropped to 12th in the table after their defeat against Sheffield United and are now eight points shy of the play-off spots. But they have little time to lick their wounds, with fourth-placed Luton Town due on Wearside tomorrow.
Ballard said: "We've got another really tough game on Saturday so have to clear this out of our minds and go again."
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- Sunderland need 'a few transfer windows' to close the gap on Sheffield United, says Tony Mowbray
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