Bristol Rovers 2-0 Sunderland: Jonson Clarke-Harris' double secures victory
Tuesday 10 March 2020 23:09, UK
Jonson Clarke-Harris netted both goals as Bristol Rovers shocked promotion-chasing Sunderland with a 2-0 Sky Bet League One win at the Memorial Stadium.
The hosts took a 39th-minute lead when Ollie Clarke's low cross from the right reached Clarke-Harris with his back to goal. The striker used his strength to turn his marker and fire into the roof of the net from eight yards.
It was 2-0 in the 75th minute, with Clarke-Harris netting from the penalty spot after Max Power had raised an arm to handle a Luke Leahy cross from the left.
The game made painful viewing for nearly 1,200 Sunderland fans who made the long trip, as their team failed to force a save from Rovers goalkeeper Jamal Blackman until deep into stoppage time.
Clarke-Harris' opening goal was the first meaningful shot on target from either side in a scrappy first half that brought five bookings.
One of those yellow cards was controversially issued to Rovers' Cameron Hargreaves just before the break for diving when going down following a challenge from Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin inside the box.
