Middlesbrough 1, Sunderland 1

Sunderland went close to making it four successive derby wins after a late surge in the latest Tees-Wear battle. Kenwyne Jones scored his seventh goal of the season in the 82nd minute to cancel out Afonso Alves' strike in first-half stoppage time. It set up a grandstand finish and Djibril Cisse had a chance to win it with the last kick of the game but was denied by a great tackle from Tony McMahon

The first 45 minutes was poor from both teams perspective, with Boro edging the title of better team in the opening half.

Just beforehand, Carlos Edwards had a header cleared off the line by Adam Johnson as the game came to life late on with a spectacular back heel off the line, though on closer inspection it appears like the ball did actually cross the line.

Despite a lacklustre performance, the Black Cats looked set to reach half-time on level terms when Alves struck. The Brazilian swapped passes with the impressive Stewart Downing before curling a shot into the corner.

It was Boro's first goal in 376 minutes of Barclays Premier League football.

It took the introduction of David Healy and Andy Reid in the second half to inject some life into Sunderland and Healy was involved in the equaliser.

Northern Ireland's record goalscorer delivered a great cross from the right and Jones was there to steer a shot past Ross Turnbull to send the 4,000-strong travelling fans behind the goal wild.

Sunderland ended the game in control and went close to winning it, but Boro hung on as they ended a three-game losing run.

Steed Malbranque received a yellow card so will be suspended for the Aston Villa premier league clash this Saturday 17th January.

However Malbranque limped out of the game midway through the second half with a dead-leg so may not have been able to play even if not suspended.