Sunderland 1 - 1 Fulham

And the Black Cats could have snatched all three points in the dying moments of the game had substitute Anthony Stokes not wasted a gilt-edged chance after being put in by Liam Miller on 90 minutes.

Late, late shows were something of a trademark during the march to the Championship title last season, but Sunderland boss Roy Keane won't have been happy at the amount of time it took the Wearsiders to get out of second gear against a Fulham side who have yet to record a Premier League away win this term.

But the Irishman may have taken small comfort from the fact that his side managed to snatch a draw, which had at one stage looked beyond them.

Had it not been for a superb free-kick from 35-yards out by Fulham's Simon Davies, then there would have been nothing to break the tedium of what was an absolutely dire opening period.

Neither side managed to mount a sustained period of possession and it's fair to say that this was the Black Cats' worst opening 45 minutes under Keane.

The fiery former Manchester United star obviously had some harsh words for his team at the break and the hosts appeared fired up after the interval.

But for all their endeavour, that little bit of quality in the final third of the field continued to elude the red and whites.

Fulham, who had gone in with their tails up at the break, were at sixes and sevens after half-time.

When full-back Greg Halford received his marching orders for a second bookable offence on 67 minutes, an equaliser looked beyond the Wearsiders' reach.

But led by lone striker Jones, Sunderland refused to give up the ghost and a quick throw in by substitute Ian Harte found Grant Leadbitter and he crossed for Jones to add the killer touch.

After that the hosts continued to push for a winner but that would have been harsh on the Cottagers and goalkeeper Antti Niemi, who did well to save Stokes' late effort even though the Sunderland striker should have done better.