There was a sense of grim trepidation in the Stadium of Light press room before kick-off when the subject of Bristol City's long wait for a penalty kick was discussed. Not since November 6, 2021 - 469 days and 47 games ago - had the Robins been awarded a penalty.
So there was an air of inevitability about it when, with Sunderland defending a narrow one-goal lead, referee Gavin Ward pointed to the spot in injury-time to give the visitors a chance to salvage a point in front of the Roker End. At least there could be no arguments about the decision.
Trai Hume had dragged down Jay Dasilva after the sub had got past him, grabbing his ankle to prevent him getting in on goal. Could Anthony Patterson come to Sunderland's rescue as he had when he saved a penalty at a crucial stage in the win at QPR in midweek?
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Not this time, with the keeper unable to reach Nakhi Wells' kick as it found the bottom left-hand corner. Tony Mowbray called it a 'sucker-punch', but that was more about the timing and the manner of the equaliser than its merit.
Because, over the 90 minutes, Bristol deserved the draw that extended their unbeaten run to eight league games. Still, it was another measure of Sunderland's progress this season that they were left disappointed with a draw against a well-established Championship side in good form, and which meant the Black Cats had to settle for ending the weekend fifth in the table rather than fourth.
The game itself was a fascinating clash of styles. It was cavaliers-vs-roundheads, the Black Cats' attacking verve pitched against the counter-attacking instincts of the Robins.
Mowbray, who had brought back Amad, Edouard Michut, and Dan Neil after resting them in midweek, but also admitted he had had to tweak things just a little, trading a little of his team's gung-ho spirit to guard against being caught out defensively. Sunderland were grateful to Patterson for a magnificent save in the first half when he turned Anis Mehmeti's shot on to the post, while at the other end Joe Gelhardt spurned a good opportunity.
Gelhardt did provide the pass which led to the opening goal, however, releasing Jack Clarke down the left and he cut inside George Tanner before lashing an unstoppable finish beyond Max O'Leary. Patrick Roberts had a couple of chances to double Sunderland's lead and kill off the game but he could not convert them.
And, with Bristol piling on the pressure late on they finally got their reward with the penalty. It was frustrating for Sunderland, but there was also an appreciation that Hume has been outstanding since coming into the starting XI at the end of December and that the 20-year-old should not be pilloried for one mistake.
Sunderland may have missed out on a third successive victory in the space of a week, but seven points out of nine is still a good return and it keeps them firmly in the play-off picture as they prepare for back-to-back away games against Rotherham United and Coventry City this week.
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