Sunderland out of FA Cup after extra-time Hanlan strike
Gillingham 1-0 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland crashed out of the FA Cup after losing to Gillingham in extra time in their first-round replay, where they failed to register a single shot on target.
The Gills took the lead in the 105th minute with Brandon Hanlan scoring the decisive goal.
The two teams met once again after drawing 1-1 at the Stadium of Light 10 days prior.
The match began and Sunderland had the first half-chance in the 4th minute as Laurens De Bock headed wide a whipped cross from Chris Maguire.
11 minutes later Max Powers cross-cum-shot was palmed wide by Gills ‘keeper Jack Bonham for a corner, but it came to nothing.
Gillingham’s only notable piece of play in the first half came in the 24th minute as Brandon Hanlan’s header went wide of the post.
Sunderland then came close through Luke O’Nien, as his cross was also turned wide.
The game lacked quality and the teams went in level at the break.
The only real chance of the second half came from Sunderland in the 72nd minute as Aiden McGeady found Will Grigg on the edge of the box, but his shot went just wide of the post.
Neither team managed to find a breakthrough in 90 minutes and the tie went to extra time.
The Gills looked the livelier of the two teams in the first half of extra time as they piled the pressure on the Sunderland box.
Ehmer then saw his effort rattle the bar as the home side got closer.
Gillingham finally got their deserved breakthrough as Hanlans low driven effort beat Sunderland keeper Lee Burge.
Barry Fuller nearly doubled the home sides lead in the second half of extra time but was denied by Burge.
Sunderland failed to create any more opportunities in the second half as they slumped to their 5th defeat in 7 games after another underwhelming performance.
