While Chris Coleman rued his side’s poor first-half display he couldn’t help but praise them after they fought back in the second 45.
Sunderland trailed 3-0 at the midway interval but rallied back after half-time to earn what seemed to be an unlikely point.
Lee Cattermole’s headed crashed against the bar and then went in off Josh Brownhill before Aiden McGeady slotted home Catts’ free-kick to set up a grandstand final 10 minutes.
But when Ashley Fletcher’s effort was saved by Frank Fielding from point-blank range, the Black Cats hopes of rescuing a point seemed to have faded.
However, in stoppage time Joel Asoro’s cross was deflected in by the helpless Marlon Park as Sunderland returned to Wearside with a point.
“It is bizarre, but you get games like that sometimes,” Coleman smiled.
“There were two stories being told. Our overall intent in the second 45 was much better. We played with a little less fear and rode our luck at the other end.
“At the other end, we had opportunities where maybe we could’ve scored more goals.
“I thought in terms of the second 45, our performance and sheer greed, it was “something – the lads were great.
“Things are said in dressing rooms, but it was down to the players in the second half.
“They rolled their sleeves up and took it on. We have come away with a hard-earned point.
“Bristol City are a very, very good team. This club is on the up and they are on the up.
“To come here and get something it really is something.
“We did that, we showed character and personality.
“Most of the teams to get out of relegation dogfights are not necessarily the teams with the best players, it is the teams with a bit of fight. A bit of determination and fight.
“It is amazing where you can go with that.”