Sunderland retrieved a two-goal deficit in the final 20 minutes to earn a point against Watford and boost their play-off chances. The Black Cats trailed after Christian Kabasele had headed the Hornets in front from a corner inside the opening 20 minutes, with Ryan Porteous then doubling his side's lead 20 minutes from time - again with a header from a corner.
But Luke O'Nien pulled a goal back almost immediately to give Tony Mowbray's side a chance. And in the sixth minute of added time, Patrick Roberts scored a brilliant equaliser to force the draw.
That point was not enough to see Sunderland move back into the top six after they had dropped out on Friday night following Millwall's win at Blackpool. However it does make the final day equation a little clearer - they must now win at Preston to stand a chance of securing a play-off spot, and they may also need other results to go their way.
READ MORE: Sunderland fight back from 2-0 down to earn a point that could be crucial in play-off race
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 7
No chance with the set-piece goals, one good save in the second half, but otherwise not really tested
Lynden Gooch 8
Excellent in the wing-back/full-back role, and he got forward to support the attack whenever he could
Trai Hume 7
A solid performance in central defence
Luke O'Nien 8
Might have done better for Watford's second goal, but scored Sunderland's first and his overall performance was very good
Dennis Cirkin 7
Couldn't repeat his two-goal heroics of last week, but still looked comfortable and assured on the left
Pierre Ekwah 6
Too easily brushed off by Kabasele for the first goal, but other than that he had a decent game
Dan Neil 7
Kept the ball moving in midfield and his passing was good
Patrick Roberts 7
So many things did not come off for him, but his worldy goal right at the death more than made up for it
Amad 8
At the centre of all Sunderland's best moves, he tried everything to get a goal
Jack Clarke 7
A real threat every time he got near the Watford box, and provided the assist for Roberts
Joe Gelhardt 7
Worked hard up front, chased down defenders, and never gave up
Subs
Alex Pritchard 7
For Ekwah 58mins. Brought some added experience and nouse when he came on, and was involved in O'Nien's goal
Edouard Michut N/A
For Neil 75mins.
Abdoullah Ba N/A
For Gelhardt 75mins.
Not used: Bass, Lihadji, Anderson, Taylor
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