SUNDERLAND'S opening away game in League One ended in a draw as Luton Town claimed a second-half equaliser at Kenilworth Road.

The Black Cats shaded the opening period, with Lynden Gooch coming close to breaking the deadlock as he fired a left-footed shot narrowly wide on the half-hour mark.

Jack Ross' side finally broke through on the stroke of half-time, with Gooch playing in Josh Maja, who claimed his second goal of the season as he drilled into the bottom corner of the net.

Gooch almost doubled Sunderland's lead in the second half, but while his curling shot evaded Luton goalkeeper Marek Stech, the ball crept over the crossbar.

Luton improved after the interval, and levelled in the 67th minute as a short-corner routine resulted in defender Matty Pearson converting Alan Sheehan's cross.

Chris Maguire struck the crossbar as Sunderland pushed for a winner, but Luton also went close to claiming all three points, with Danny Hylton spurning an excellent opening as he failed to find the target with a free header.