Quinn saves Sunderland

Quinn gets a pat on the back after pulling one back

Sunderland 2-2 Charlton Athletic

Niall Quinn came to the rescue for Sunderland with two goals at the Stadium of Light.

The home side had looked to be on their way to a second home defeat in four days when Charlton took a two-goal lead on the hour through Steve Brown.

No-one up here needs me to tell Peter Reid that Sunderland are a totally different proposition with Niall Quinn

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley

But the Black Cats' constant pressure finally paid off as two Quinn headers in two minutes brought them level.

Sunderland had been looking to recover quickly from their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday.

Boss Peter Reid stated his positive intent with a line-up that included French striker Lilian Laslandes alongside Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn in a three-pronged attack.

But despite almost constant pressure after falling behind early on, the Black Cats could not break down a resolute Charlton defence until the closing stages.

Quinn celebrates his equaliser

The first breakthrough for the visitors came in the 11th minute when Paul Konchesky sent over a harmless looking corner from the left.

Sunderland keeper Jurgen Macho looked to have it covered but was beaten to the ball by both Shaun Bartlett and Mark Fish, with Bartlett getting the vital touch with his head.

The Black Cats surged forward for much of the first half in search of an equaliser without totally dominating.

Everyone knows what I think about Niall Quinn - I just wish I could find another one

Peter Reid

Six corners followed but the closest Sunderland came was when Phillips and Quinn combined cleverly in the 27th minute.

They set up Gavin McCann six yards from goal but Dean Kiely came to the rescue for Charlton, saving with his feet.

Powerful header

The missed opportunities looked even more costly on the hour when the Sunderland defence gave up another soft goal as Brown sent a looping header over Macho.

It took Quinn to haul Sunderland back into the match, first as he latched on to a Phillips cross in the 74th minute and headed past Kiely from six yards.

Before Charlton had time to recover, a free-kick from McCann found Quinn, and Kiely was unable to hold another powerful header.

Sunderland piled on the pressure in the final moments, but Charlton managed to recover their defensive shape enough to hold on for the point.

---

Sunderland: Macho, Haas, Gray, Craddock, Williams, McCann, Schwarz, Arca, Phillips, Quinn, Laslandes. Subs: Sorensen, Bellion, McCartney, Thirlwell, Kilbane.

Charlton: Kiely, Powell, Fish, Young, Brown, Konchesky, Parker, Kinsella, Stuart, Johansson, Bartlett. Subs: Todd, Euell, Robinson, Shields, Roberts.

Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay).