Lee Burge: 7/10
Did everything asked of him tonight, no chance with the goal but looked more solid than he has done so far this season.
Carl Winchester: 7/10
We really need a new specialist right back but Winchester is doing a good job for the team, almost scored from distance in the second half but for a good save from the Burton goalkeeper.
Tom Flanagan: 7/10
Defensively sound, put in plenty of important blocks and bailed the team out on occasion. Was unlucky to see his last gasp header ruled out.
Callum Doyle: 6/10
Put himself and the team into trouble a couple of times with a sloppy pass but still looks far more experienced than his young age.
Dennis Cirkin: 6/10
Looks the part at left-back, hard to believe it’s only his second senior apperance. Tired in the second half and was caught out of position for Burton’s winner.
Luke O’Nien: 7/10
Did the dirty work which allowed Dan Neil to get on the ball and play.
Dan Neil: 8/10
Best player on the pitch. He’s got so much time on the ball and easily the team’s best passer, most of the good play came through him.
Aiden McGeady: 6/10
Not yet hit his stride this season, was still a threat throughout the game but his mishit attempted chip when one-on-one summed up his performance.
Elliot Embleton: 6/10
Always buzzing around behind Stewart linking up play without it really happening for him tonight.
Lynden Gooch: 6/10
Kept trying to make something happen on the right without much success and again moved to full-back, this time on the left, and would have set up the equaliser but for the offside flag.
Ross Stewart: 7/10
Excellent in the first half, leading the line as he has done so far this season. Quieter in the second half.
Subs
Alex Pritchard: 7/10
Came on as we pushed for an equaliser, always involved with play and only the home ‘keeper kept him from scoring.
Nathan Broadhead: 6/10
Quieter than Pritchard but almost scored with his first touch as a Sunderland player.
Man of the Match: Dan Neil
Easily the best player on the pitch tonight, Neil should have made the midfield position his own. He’s a cut above and has the best vision in the entire squad.