The Black Cats came away empty handed from Millwall despite taking the lead on the half hour mark through Marcus Stewart.
"Millwall deserved to win. It was a fair result although I felt both their goals went against the run of play," McCarthy said after the 2-1 defeat.
"We started the second-half better and before they scored I thought we might but that's football.
"It was a very competitive game and you find in matches like this there are heated exchanges and there could have been more bookings."
| Millwall | 2 | Sunderland | 1 | Dichio 39, 62
| | Stewart 30
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| | Competition | Nationwide League Division One
Saturday 17th January 2004 |
| Match Statistics | | 13 | Goal Attempts | 8 | | 5 | On target | 5 | | 8 | Off target | 3 | | 0 | Woodwork | 0 | | 9 | Corners | 2 | | 8 | Fouls | 15 | | 3 | Offside | 3 |
| Cards shown | | | McAteer (64) | unsporting behaviour | | | Whitley (72) | unsporting behaviour |
| Other Information | | Referee | | Cain, G ,Merseyside | | Attendance | |
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