Steve Bruce said Sunderland were undone by a "wonder goal" after seeing his side turn in a "terrific" performance against Manchester City.
The Black Cats looked on track for victory after Kenwyne Jones headed them into an early lead, and they held out until sub Adam Johnson curled in the equaliser in the dying minutes.
It was a cruel finale for Bruce's men, who acquitted themselves well as they continued to build on the home win over Bolton.
Goalscorer Jones went off injured at the break and Bruce said that turned the game, while admitting visitors City were good value for their point.
"We were terrific in the first half," he told SAFC TV. "The injury to Kenwyne disrupted us and we found it a bit of a struggle after that.
"Fair play to Man City, they changed their system and formation but overall I was pleased with the players and a draw was a fair result given the chances City had.
"It was so close, though, and we've lost 10 points in the final minutes now. It was a wonder goal from a player we courted for so long."
Johnson's late goal denied Sunderland a third successive clean sheet as the central partnership of Michael Turner and John Mensah delivered a dominant performance against City's varied attacking threats.
"We've looked the real defensively and thats obviously pleasing," Bruce continued. "We were a few seconds away from keeping three clean sheets which is a hell of an achievement in the Premier League.
"But it wasn't to be. We'll take it on the chin, dust ourselves down and go again on Monday."
Bruce also reserved praise for goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who picked up the champagne as man of the match following a stirring display between the sticks.
Gordon pulled off five excellent saves as City pressed in the second half and could do nothing about Johnson's late equaliser.
And Bruce said the Scottish international played a key role, adding: "Craig had a fantastic game and produced a number of great saves to keep us in it."
- Subscribers to the Black Cats Txt SMS service got quotes from the manager delivered straight to their handsets before anyone else. Click here to sign up.
