THE tears of a clown. That's how many viewed Michael Proctor's emotions after scoring an incredible two own goals against Charlton.

A clown is a tad harsh on the Wearside boy, after all he has been one of the very few bright spots of a disastrous Sunderland campaign.

But even Frank Sinclair - the man whose career has been renowned for gaffes past his own goalkeeper - would struggle to come away from a match having done that twice inside just four first half minutes.

The look on Proctor's face said it all. He did not need to open his mouth.

Remember Paul Gascoigne's famous tears in World Cup 1990.

Few would disagree that this meant just as much to Sunderland's rising star.

In Italy nearly 13 years ago Gazza had to be comforted by Sir Bobby Robson and Co during the semi-final with Germany after picking up a yellow card. That booking meant he would have missed the World Cup Final had England progressed.

And, while many today would argue that scoring two own goals is not in the same league as having to sit on the sidelines for football's biggest showpiece, Saturday's mishap clearly meant just as much to Proctor as it did to Gazza.

Sunderland's promising talent had to be comforted by his teammates and centre-back Phil Babb, just as Gary Lineker did back in 1990, could be seen saying 'have a word' to the coaching staff.

Proctor has grown up a Sunderland fan. He has stood on the terraces at Roker Park and he has sat in the stands at the Stadium of Light.

And that is why the home fans on Saturday did not single out the young attacker for criticism - had it been any other player it may have been a little different.

While disgruntled with seeing their side drop to bottom in the Premiership, those same Black Cats supporters knew that Proctor has been one of the club's few leading lights since Howard Wilkinson took over the reins in October.

Former boss Peter Reid farmed the player out on loan - to Halifax Town, York City and Bradford City - but when Wilkinson took over one of his first steps was to bring him back to Wearside.

And what has delighted the Sunderland faithful even more is the way in which he has gone about his job on the right of midfield, despite being a centre-forward.

Proctor's nightmare - in front of his own supporters - will either make him or break him.

His next game, likely to be against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup replay on Wednesday night, will be a severe test of character.

But he is not one to shirk his responsibilities and his willingness to go in front of the media, whatever the outcome of the result, proves just that.

Proctor will no doubt bounce back and there is every chance his two goals against Charlton will help develop him into a stronger player.

Saturday, though, was not just about Proctor of course. There was also the own goal from Stephen Wright and the penalty from Kevin Phillips.

Wright could do little to prevent the ball ricocheting off him and going beyond Thomas Sorensen.

But Phillips, meanwhile, showed exactly what he was about by stepping up to take his side's penalty.

After missing four spot-kicks in a row, few expected the former England man to step up to the ball and go head-to-head with Dean Kiely from 12 yards.

If that goal is the start of a revival in fortunes in Phillips' goalscoring exploits then that can only help Sunderland's survival chances.

But, although Wilkinson and his squad remain confident of avoiding the drop, this result just adds to the belief that Sunderland will be heading through the Nationwide League trapdoor come May.

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