Middlesbrough 1-1 Sunderland AFC
Nazariy Rusyn’s late goal secured a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough on Sunday in the Sky Bet Championship.
After an even first half, Marcus Forss’ strike put the hosts ahead before Rusyn's 84th-minute strike flew past Tom Glover at the near post to claim a valuable point on the road.
Michael Beale made one change from last week’s win over Stoke City, with deadline-day signing Leo Hjelde replacing Jenson Seelt in the starting XI.
Patrick Roberts was named amongst the substitutes for the first time since December after recovering from a calf injury.
It was Middlesbrough who carved out the first chance of the game inside 10 minutes when Sam Greenwood was released in behind, but Anthony Patterson was equal to his shot before Finn Azaz fired over the rebound.
The Black Cats then had a huge chance of their own on 35 minutes when Ba found himself in on goal, but he could only hit the side-netting.
On the stroke of half-time, Sunderland should have been ahead. Jobe and Jack Clarke combined before the latter found Ba – somehow his first-time shot was cleared off the line.
Boro raced out of the stalls after the interval and went ahead through Forss. Dan Neil was deemed to have fouled Greenwood and the latter’s strike from the resulting free-kick fell to Forss, who volleyed past Patterson.
Beale looked to his substitutes on the 70-minute mark, and less then 15 minutes later Clarke waved some magic down the left before finding Rusyn on the opposite side - he did the rest and fired home a well-deserved equaliser at the Riverside Stadium.
Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, O’Nien, Ballard (Seelt 90’), Hjelde, Neil, Ekwah, Ba (Roberts 67’), Jobe, Clarke, Burstow (Rusyn 67’)
Subs not used: Bishop, Pembele, Hemir, Mundle, Aouchiche, Kelly