Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has claimed that his side had no luck in front of goal during Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Norwich City in the Premier League.
The Black Cats conceded twice in the opening 35 minutes, but Craig Gardner reduced the deficit moments before the break.
However, the visitors wasted a number of chances in the second half as they slumped to a fifth loss of the season.
"We just couldn't get that little bit of luck that we needed," said O'Neill. "There were glaring opportunities for us and we spurned the lot of them in the second half.
"In the second half there was one-way traffic. We played with gusto, determination and courage but couldn't force the equaliser."
Sunday's defeat has put 17th-placed Sunderland just one point above the relegation zone.