Sunderland's positive performance at Lincoln cannot mask a missed opportunity

Missed chances equalled frustration. A missed opportunity bred disappointment.

Sunderland left Lincoln with a strong sense of what could have been. In a match they dominated, they were unable to find a finish and were held to a goalless draw.

The post denied Corry Evans, Jack Clarke sent three chances narrowly wide, and only a stunning save prevented Ross Stewart scoring an injury-time winner. And on a day when play-off rivals Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Wycombe Wanderers all dropped points, Sunderland were unable to take advantage and press their case for a top six finish.

Yet Sunderland were applauded off at Sincil Bank by the vast majority of the 2,000 fans who made the trip from the North East and who basked in the sun on what was the hottest day of the year so far. Because, result notwithstanding, Sunderland's performance was anything but disappointing - on the contrary, it was full of promise, and if they continue playing to this level in the remaining seven games they should have no problem clinching a play-off spot.

Clarke offered a threat, Patrick Roberts shone in the role of creator-in-chief in what was his first full 90 minutes for the club, and the Black Cats looked defensively sound as they clocked up their fourth clean sheet in five games with Anthony Patterson's only real test coming in the final ten minutes when he made a fine reaction save from Liam Cullen. The problem, of course, was that on the eve of the match Alex Neil had said Sunderland needed to prioritise 'substance over style' - or, if you prefer, points over performances - in the remaining games to achieve the immediate goal of securing a play-off place.

At Lincoln there was plenty of style, but the substance was lacking. In