Slide continues as Black Cats run low on lives

SUNDERLAND manager Ricky Sbragia was again left to rue sloppy defending after his team slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Portsmouth which keeps them in the relegation mire.

The Black Cats could have secured their top-flight status with a win and they took the lead with a 59th-minute opener from Kenwyne Jones.

But Portsmouth scored twice inside seven minutes through John Utaka and Phil Bardsley’s own goal after a dreadful gaffe from Anton Ferdinand, before an Armand Traore strike sealed victory three minutes from time.