John spares Sunderland's blushes
by Setanta Sports
Sunderland kicked off their tour of Ireland with a 1-0 victory against Bohemians but Stern John's winner papered over the cracks for Roy Keane's new-look side.
Substitute John's 79th minute header decided a dreadful spectacle but the Trinidad & Tobago striker was one of three Black Cats players guilty of inexcusable second half misses.
With a number of close season recruits on view, the visitors struggled to find any rhythm and were almost undone when Paul McShane, by the far the best of the summer signings on the night, was forced to clear a goalbound effort by Darren Mansaram after poor defending by Nyron Nosworthy.
Michael Chopra saw a lob ruled out for off-side but the brightest moment of the first half came when Anthony Stokes cut in and bent a right-footed drive inches off target.
Marton Fulop saved from Mark Rossiter but there were few chances in the opening 45 minutes and a clumsy clash between Chopra and Dickson Etuhu epitomised the lack of understanding in the Sunderland team.
The Black Cats improved after the interval and Daryl Murphy volleyed over following a fast break involving Kieran Richardson and Stokes.
Bohs keeper Lee Boyle almost let in McShane from a corner but the youngster produced an astounding save when tipping Chopra's shot onto the bar from close range. Carlos Edwards's centre invited a simple finish from the former Newcastle United forward, who will soon be under pressure from the Sunderland fans unless he sharpens up his act.
Another glaring miss was to follow as Edwards again supplied a killer cross but Richardson could only hit David Connolly with his finish and the ball looped over the bar for a comical waste of a golden opportunity.
Boyle needlessly rushed from his line to gift Keane's men the winner as John diverted Ross Wallace's speculative cross into the unguarded net with his head.
There was still time for another example of incredibly profligate finishing as John muscled his way through but showed no composure when firing off target with the goal at his mercy.
