Sunderland grabbed a 1-1 draw at League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday thanks to a stoppage-time Duncan Watmore equaliser.
Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth has paid tribute to Sunderland and his managerial counterpart Jack Ross after Saturday’s feisty draw at Adams Park, as reported by the Sunderland Echo.
The Black Cats narrowly avoided their first League One defeat of 2019 at the weekend, Duncan Watmore’s 94-minute strike salvaging a point against a hard-working and physical Wycombe side that posed plenty of problems.
While the result felt like a missed opportunity for the visitors, who are four points behind Barnsley in the automatic promotion positions albeit with a game in hand, Wycombe coach Ainsworth was thrilled to take a draw against one of the league’s most fancied sides.
“Sunderland are a magnificent side, what a football club, their fans were awesome – what a following that is,” Ainsworth said.
“That was a great point.
The affable gaffer also took the time to hail Jack Ross, who led Sunderland to the Checkatrade Trophy final last week courtesy of a last-four victory against League One rivals Bristol Rovers.
“Jack is a great guy, I have a lot of respect for him,” he added. “I’m pleased they got to Wembley and hope they get promoted because he has done a fantastic job.
“What he has done and as a human being in general, he is a great guy, he really is.”
Sunderland have been in fine form since the turn of the year and, although they were not at their best against Wycombe, Ross can take plenty of heart from a successful late rally that epitomises the never-say-die attitude of his side.
This is certainly a different Sunderland team to the one that suffered successive relegations in the last two seasons.
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