Ziege restores local pride

Goalscorer Ziege (left) battles with Sunderland's Rae

Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough

Christian Ziege came to Middlesbrough's rescue with a late goal to claim a point in the North-East derby at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland looked set to win their first Premiership match for three months, courtesy of Niall Quinn's opener.

But Boro battled all the way and deservedly fought their way back into the contest through Ziege's leveller eight minutes from time.

Niall Quinn put Sunderland in front

And they could have won the game right at the death, but substitute Juninho was denied by Thomas Sorensen in a one-on-one with the Danish keeper.

The first half was drab fare and was thoroughly overshadowed by the guest appearance before kick-off of former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough, who played for both clubs.

Sunderland, desperate for a first league win since December 18, were disjointed for long periods - but they still created a number of chances for front pair Quinn and Kevin Phillips.

Boro on top

Boro, with skipper Paul Ince in commanding mood, took the game to their local rivals early on.

Brian Deane headed wide from Curtis Fleming's cross and Hamilton Ricard came close, only to see Sorensen and Alex Rae combine to scramble his header clear.

Phillips thought he had put Sunderland ahead in first-half injury time - but he was in an offside position.

The Black Cats - as the hosts are now known - began to impose themselves after the break, after winger Nicky Sumerbee came off the bench.

Sunderland hit back

Phillips should have scored his 26th goal of the season, but Mark Schwarzer pushed his shot onto the post before snatching the rebound.

Australian keeper Schwarzer then did well to save from Rae - but he was unable to keep out Quinn's 67th minute header from a Phillips cross that sent the home crowd into raptures.

Boro boss Bryan Robson sent on Juninho as he looked to get something from the game.

And the equaliser arrived when Ziege ran on to Deane's through ball and lifted his shot over Sorensen.

Teams:

Sunderland: Sorensen, Holloway, Craddock, Williams, Makin, Thirlwell, Rae, Schwarz, Kilbane, Quinn, Phillips. Subs: Bould, Marriott, Roy, Oster, Summerbee.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Fleming, Vickers, Pallister, Cooper, Ziege, Summerbell, Ince, Maddison, Deane, Ricard. Subs: Beresford, Festa, Mustoe, Campbell, Juninho.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)