Jack Ross on ten-man Sunderland's 'outstanding' fightback at Walsall
Max Power's dismissal left Sunderland a man light, but they came back from 2-0 down to claim a point at the Bescot Stadium
Sunderland manager Jack Ross celebrates the draw (Image: Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
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Jack Ross hailed as 'outstanding' ten-man Sunderland's comeback at Walsall as they retrieved a two-goal deficit to salvaged a point.
The Black Cats had to play three-quarters of the game shorthanded after Max Power was shown a straight red card midway through the first period.
And when Josh Gordon and Josh Ginnelly put the Saddlers 2-0 up early in the second half, it looked as though Sunderland's 12-game unbeaten run would come to an end.
But Aiden McGeady pulled a goal back just after the hour and Lynden Gooch levelled in the final minute to extend that run to 13 games in all competitions.
"That opening period of the second half was the only bit that was disappointing," said Ross.
"We were stoic in the latter part of the first half.
"Our reaction to going two goals down is outstanding, not many teams will play that way with ten men and two goals down.
"They carried that expectation and wearing that badge today.
"The chances created, even if Lynden hadn't scored last minute I would still say the same things.
"There were so many good things.
"We had to play 65-70 minutes with ten men, that has a physical impact, the personnel we had on the pitch at that time wasn't really conducive to us changing shape very easily.
"The only time I could be critical is the five minutes after half time, other than that we were unbelievably good.
"We changed shape a bit [in the second half] and we gave Aiden a much freer role. Obviously there's an element of risk in that but he is an intelligent footballer and he picked up areas where he could cause them problems and in the last 30-40 minutes of the game he was very good."
Ross was convinced that Power was harshly treated by referee Craig Hicks, and has confirmed that Sunderland will appeal against the decision - knowing that the fact this was Power's third red card of the season will mean a five match ban if the appeal fails.
Ross said: "I said about my gut reaction - most coaches and managers will tell you that they know at the time whether they are worried about something, and they think 'we might be in trouble here'.
"The second one [red card] against Bradford, I've got no complaints about.
"The first one against Oxford we appealed against so that tells you what I thought about that.
"Against Oxford because of the pace of the tackle, I thought that - but having watched it back I didn't think it was [a red card].
"However today's was one for me that was very clearly not a red card."
Walsall 2-2 Sunderland picture special - scenes at the Bescot at Black Cats fight back
Power came into the side at the Bescot Stadium in place of the injured Dylan McGeouch, but if Power is ruled out of Tuesday's game against Barnsley on Wearside Ross may have McGeouch available again.
He said: "Dylan possibly has a chance for Tuesday.
"I thought he would be OK to be in the squad today but he didn't quite make it and we'll look at that again tomorrow."