Hamilton Ricard's delightful second half opener was cancelled out as ten-man Sunderland held on for a point at their regional rivals.

The BBC's Peter Slater: "Chris Makin was sent off stupidly"

Chris Makin was sent off after half an hour for two bookings at the Riverside Stadium, but Sunderland fought hard to overcome their man advantage.

Ricard finally broke the deadlock with 14 minutes to go, turning and shooting superbly at the edge of the area.

Sunderland equalised two minutes later, despite Kevin Phillips missing a penalty given after Niall Quinn was bundled over.

Makin is dismissed after bringing down Deane

Michael Reddy slotted home the rebound after the spot kick was comfortably saved by Mark Schwarzer.

Phillips had won his fitness battle along with Paul Butler, Nicky Summerbee and Gavin McCann.

Boro boss Bryan Robson welcomed back Colin Cooper from suspension in place of Curtis Fleming.

The home side were first into their stride with Juninho, Christian Ziege and Brian Deane all stopped by challenges in the first 10 minutes.

The first controversy came as Ziege waited to take a free kick on 13 minutes.

Deane escapes elbow offence

Deane appeared to elbow Butler on the six yard line but the striker got away with a stern lecture.

Both men went into the book a minute later as they continued their feud, while Makin received his first booking for dissent.

Sunderland forced a series of corners as they gradually edged their way into the game.

But they were unable to create any meaningful chances with their weak efforts from Quinn and Phillips.

Makin's involvement ended 13 minutes from the break when Keith O'Neill's pass out of defence sent Ziege away.

The German played in Deane, who was brought down by Makin.

Sorensen produced an excellent finger-tip save to deflect Ziege's free kick over the bar, and Ricard sent a header just wide seconds later as the Sunderland defence creaked without its right back.

Darren Williams came on to plug the gap, but Butler still had to stop another Juninho run as half time beckoned.

Sunderland emerged for the second half in positive mood, but it was the home side who looked the more dangerous, with Juninho and Deane firing over as their side opted for all-out attack.

Goal drama

They finally broke the deadlock on 76 minutes when Ricard let fly from 25 yards to send the ball arcing past Sorensen and into the top corner for his first goal since 14 August.

But the lead lasted barely two minutes after Stamp and Quinn collided in the penalty area and Mr Barber pointed to the spot.

Phillips' kick was well-saved by Schwarzer but Reddy, who had just replaced Michael Gray, followed up to slam home his first ever Premiership strike.

Sunderland almost snatched victory seven minutes from time when Phillips volleyed over.

But it was Boro who looked more likely to emerge with all the points as the Wearsiders hung on for a point on Teesside.

Teams:

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Stamp, Vickers, Cooper, Pallister, O'Neill, Juninho, Ince, Ziege, Ricard, Deane. Subs: Fleming, Mustoe, Gascoigne, Beresford, Armstrong.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Butler, Bould, Gray, Summerbee, Roy, McCann, Schwarz, Phillips, Quinn. Subs: Marriott, Williams, Ball, Rae, Reddy.