Dennis Cirkin's brave header earned Sunderland a point in a feisty clash with Millwall at The Den. Cirkin scored the equaliser ten minutes from time, but the defender - who had come off the bench to make his return from a hip injury - was knocked out cold in the process, and was himself substituted after suffering concussion.
Millwall had gone in front through Jake Cooper's strike on the hour and for long spells the Lions were in the ascendancy. Ex-Sunderland man George Honeyman had the ball in the net in the first half but it was ruled out for an offside, and then in the second Murray Wallace saw a header clip the top of the bar on its way over.
The draw means Sunderland have now lost just one of their last nine games in all competitions. And the point was enough to ensure the Black Cats stay ninth in the Championship table.
READ MORE: Sunderland's Dennis Cirkin salvages a point at Millwall in a brief comeback from injury
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 6
No chance with the goal and had made a great save from Honeyman just beforehand
Trai Hume 7
Did all his defensive duties and also got forward whenever he could to support the attack
Dan Ballard 7
Excellent at the back on his return to the club where he spent last season on loan
Danny Batth 7
Strong alongside Ballard
Aji Alese 6
Had a tough afternoon against ex-Black Cat Honeyman, but did OK
Edouard Michut 7
Looking increasingly comfortable in this team, this was another impressive performance in a difficult game
Dan Neil 8
Made important challenges and stood out in the middle of the park
Patrick Roberts 8
Was at the centre of what flashes of inspiration Sunderland showed in the final third
Amad 6
Not at his best, he was unable to produce any end product
Jack Clarke 6
Like most of Sunderland's attacking players, he struggled to make an impact
Joe Gelhardt 7
A promising debut, and in the first half in particular he looked a real handful
Subs
Alex Pritchard 7
For Clarke 63mins. Came up with the assist for the goal on his return from injury
Dennis Cirkin 7
For Alese 67mins. His brave header earned Sunderland the point
Pierre Ekwah N/A
For Michut 85mins.
Joe Anderson N/A
For Cirkin 85mins.
Abdoullah Ba N/A
For Gelhardt 89mins.
Not used: Bass, Bennette
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