Liam Miller scored in the penultimate minute for Sunderland to help his team snatch a precious point against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Sunderland had raced to an early lead through Grant Leadbitter in the 2nd minute of the game, but were unable to build on the start, allowing Middlesbrough to equalize through Julio Arca. The hosts then went ahead halfway into the second half through Stewart Downing before Miller's heroics late in the game gave Sunderland a much needed point.

Sunderland got off to a best possible start when Leadbitter latched on to a defensive error by Julio Arca to slam home into the bottom corner. Ten minutes into the game, the hosts suffered their second set back of the match when Tuncay Sanli limped off the field and was replaced by Dong-Gook Lee.

Middlesbrough were back on level terms in the 15th minute as Arca made amends to his mistake by diving low to head home a Gary O'Neil cross past Craig Gordon. The former Black Cat declined to celebrate in front of the visiting fans, but was stretchered off the field after a serious knee injury.

O'Neil had a number of chances to put Middlesbrough in the lead, but was unable to hit the target. The hosts had a penalty appeal turned down when Luke Young's shot looked to have hit Danny Higginbotham arm, but the referee dismissed the appeals.

Boro had a great chance of going into the lead in the 50th minute when Mido passed the ball to Lee but the South Korean international saw his shot got just wide of the post. The hosts finally took the lead in the 67th minute when Downing hit a spectacular drive towards the target and the bal swerved away from Gordon and into the net.

Sunderland tried to press forward but were unable to create any chances that would have given them a way back into the match. With time running out fast for Roy Keane's men, it looked like a home win for Middlesbrough before Miller spoiled the party for Gareth Southgate.

Miller latched on to a flick on by Kenwyne Jones before muscling through the Boro defense to smash home a left-footed shot from 20 yards out. Middlesbrough had one last chance of getting all three points when Lee Cattermole saw his shot go inches wide of the post, but Sunderland were able to avoid defeat in Keane's 50th match in charge of the club.