Steve Evans believes his side deserved to come away from the Stadium of Light with all three points.
The Black Cats had to weather storm from the Gills in the first half after Aiden McGeady's equaliser.
The visitors were unlucky to be trailing at the break and their combative, high press caused issues for Lee Johnson's side.
Speaking after the game, Evans said: "We played very well in spells; we'll take the point. The players gave us everything.
"We go a goal behind with a lucky deflection which happens in games.
"We got back into it; it's a good strike from Alex MacDonald, we hit the underside of the bar & have a penalty given against us.
"The penalty was just clearly not a penalty. I'm going with the benefit of having watched it back through. It's not a penalty. Is it a penalty? Only the player will know.
"Their supporters will watch it back and Sunderland supporters are honest people - they'll watch it and think 'ooo wow'.
"We changed the system; we fight, it's a great finish from Jordan.
"I think my team deserved to win.
"We have a lot of people that fight; the two centre halves had a real good game against difficult opponents."
