Wimbledon 1-1 Sunderland report as Alex Neil takes a point from his first game in charge

New boss Alex Neil put an end to Sunderland's losing streak - but the Black Cats dropped two more crucial points against relegation-threatened opposition as they fought out a draw at AFC Wimbledon.

The Black Cats fell behind inside 20 minutes to a controversial penalty, awarded for a highly questionable handball against Callum Doyle, with Luke McCormick scoring from the spot.

But Alex Pritchard levelled with a wonderful free-kick - his second in the space of five days - before half-time.

Wimbledon finished with ten men when McCormick was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 90 minute.

Sunderland had lost three games in a row prior to their visit to Plough Lane and the draw put an end to that run.

However it was another two points dropped against lowly opposition as far as the promotion race is concerned, and while Sunderland stay fourth the automatic places are becoming ever-more distant.

Neil made three changes to the side that lost at Cheltenham in midweek, with Bailey Wright returning from a calf injury, while Carl Winchester and Dan Neil also returned to the starting XI.

They replaced Danny Batth, who was absent from the squad, Leon Dajaku and Corry Evans, with the latter pair dropping to the bench.

AFC Wimbledon boss Mark Robinson made five changes, in his case to the side that lost at home to leaders Rotherham United on Tuesday.

McCormick, Will Nightingale, Paul Osew, Lee Brown, and Ethan Chislett came into the side, with Daniel Csoka, Cheye Alexander, Nesta Guinness-Walker, Anthony Hartigan, and Paul Kalambayi, making way.

Sunderland were subdued in the first half, with Wimbledon making all the running and only a series of good saves from Anthony Patterson prevented the Dons going in ahead at