They say a point is never to be sniffed at – especially in a tight play-off race – but there wasn’t much satisfaction from this draw.
Middlesbrough felt they should have gone on to claim victory after Marcus Forss volleyed home in eye-catching fashion.
Sunderland grabbed a point through Nazariy Rusyn but created enough good chances to take all three.
So this High Noon showdown in the north-east ended in a sort of truce. Sunderland remain a point off the top six, while Boro down in 12th are four adrift but with a game in hand. Take it and move on.
Michael Beale’s Sunderland were superior before half-time but fell behind thanks to a textbook training ground free-kick that Forss blasted home.
Middlesbrough drew 1-1 with Sunderland in their Championship clash on Sunday

Middlesbrough opened the scoring in the 61st minute thanks to Marcus Forss

Sunderland remain a point off the top six, while Boro down in 12th are four adrift but with a game in hand
That gave Michael Carrick’s side superiority until Sunderland mustered a second wind late on and levelled through substitute Rusyn.
There’s always a debate over whether this Tees-Wear clash actually constitutes a proper derby but anyone sampling the lively pre-match atmosphere would have been left in no doubt.
With the Riverside playlist turned off to let the noise build, both sets of fans obliged, while the huge police presence outside was another clue as to the animosity.
Sometimes these Sunday lunchtime kick-offs can be sluggish affairs but that wasn’t the case here as both teams enjoyed golden opportunities in a goalless opening 45.
Middlesbrough should have led when Sam Greenwood was played clear by Lukas Engel’s inch-perfect pass from left-back.
Luke O’Nien was struggling to keep up and grabbed Greenwood by the arm as he bore down on the Sunderland box. Greenwood didn’t go to ground and saw his effort blocked by keeper Anthony Patterson.
The ball came out to Finn Azaz, the midfielder signed from Aston Villa last month, but he fired over with the first-time effort without realising he had more time.
Sunderland enjoyed the clearer chances after that. Jack Clarke was enjoying his duel with Luke Ayling on the Sunderland left and he skinned the on-loan Leeds full-back before Tom Glover denied him at the near post.

Michael Beale’s Sunderland were superior before half-time but fell behind thanks to a textbook training ground free-kick that Forss blasted home

That gave Michael Carrick’s side superiority until Sunderland mustered a second wind late on and levelled through substitute Rusyn

Middlesbrough should have led when Sam Greenwood was played clear by Lukas Engel’s inch-perfect pass from left-back
Trai Hume forced Glover into a full-length save from range before Forss, tracking back, put in an important block to thwart Clarke’s back post header.
Still Sunderland came forward and Abdoullah Ba might have looked for a cut-back after getting in behind from Mason Burstow’s excellent pass. Instead, he found the side-netting with only the keeper to beat.
And Middlesbrough were indebted to Rav van den Berg’s alertness to clear Ba’s shot off the line after Jobe Bellingham stole in down the left and Clarke shifted the ball on.
The hosts started the second-half more brightly. Ayling poked a shot towards goal after a slick passing move, only for Hume to block, and Greenwood reached the ball just before Patterson after racing behind again only for a raised flag to spare referee Darren England from making a penalty call.
Patterson almost got himself into hot water as Forss and Greenwood ruthlessly pressed him, the keeper’s hurried clearance – fortunately for him – bounced off Forss and behind.
But Forss did punish Sunderland just after the hour mark following a training ground free-kick routine that came off beautifully.
Dan Barlaser rolled the ball to Hayden Hackney who nudged it into Greenwood. His pass seeking Forss inside the box took a deflection off Ekwah but the end product was certainly emphatic as the Finn controlled, spun and lashed a volley into the bottom corner.
Engel set the ever-willing Greenwood in behind shortly afterwards but this time his effort was scuffed off target.
Sunderland had offered next to nothing after the break but Dan Ballard went close with a flicked header from Clarke’s free-kick.
And they levelled thanks to Rusyn with seven minutes left on the clock. Clarke picked him out with a cross-field pass from the left and the Ukrainian had enough space to take the bouncing ball down.
His half-volley into the bottom corner was well-hit but Glover should have done better given he got a hand to it.
That switched the momentum and debutant Luke Thomas watched in horror as his clearance of Clarke’s low cross almost beat his own keeper.

Jack Clarke was enjoying his duel with Luke Ayling on the Sunderland left and he skinned the on-loan Leeds full-back before Tom Glover denied him at the near post

Sunderland had offered next to nothing after the break but Dan Ballard went close with a flicked header from Clarke’s free-kick
Source From: Football | Mail Online
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