Late Hammill goal cancels out Maja effort for Sunderland

Posted Sunday, January 20, 2019 by PA

Adam Hammill marked his Scunthorpe debut with a stunning late equaliser as his side came from behind to draw 1-1 with Sky Bet League One promotion hopefuls Sunderland.

The winger curled the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box with three minutes to go, pegging back a Black Cats side who had looked on course for three points after Josh Maja’s 16th goal of the season just before the hour mark.

The Iron probably just about had the better of an absorbing and entertaining contest in which clear-cut chances were few and far between.

They certainly had the best two openings of the first half, with George Thomas denied by visiting goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin after being played in by Lee Novak, who then headed the resulting corner over from close range.

Sunderland, having had the majority of possession, looked at their most dangerous on the break and when the hosts failed to close down Reece James on the left hand side, he whipped in an inviting cross which Maja guided inside the near post.

Scunthorpe came close to levelling when a shot from James Perch took a deflection to wrong-foot McLaughlin, who did well to scramble the ball away with his feet.

But in the 87th minute the Iron did find a leveller, Hammill working the ball on to his right foot before finding the top corner 13 minutes after coming off the bench.