Josh Maja believes his Sunderland side were made to pay for their lack of ruthlessness in the first half of their 1-1 draw with Charlton.

The Black Cats registered their only goal through Luke O’Nien’s fine volley after two minutes but missed a string of golden opportunities to put the game to bed before the break.

Charlie Wyke and Lynden Gooch should’ve done better with their efforts and they were made to pay after Lyle Taylor’s vicious cross was converted into his own net by Reece James.

“We had a game plan, we knew what they were going to bring and we dealt with them first half,” said the 20-year-old starlet.

“If we take our chances in the first half, it’s a different second half and we go away with three points

"Obviously second half they changed their tactics and caused us more problems, but in the end I think the draw was a fair result.

“It was a good game, back and forth in the second half and I think we were made to pay for missed chances.”

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The striker who is surrounded by contract speculation with the Wearsiders believes he’s not let any off-field talks impact his game.

“I was happy with my performance, it’s disappointing not to get a goal but you can’t score every game so it’s on to the next one.”

Sunderland remain third in League One, one point behind Luton in second but with a game in hand.

Charlton stay fourth but crucially have played a game more than Peterborough in seventh who are three points behind.