SAM ALLARDYCE admits he was “relieved” to see Jermain Defoe rescue a point in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Stoke City, but thinks he should have celebrating all three points at the Britannia Stadium.

Defoe scored from the penalty spot in the third minute of stoppage time after drawing a foul from Geoff Cameron on the edge of the area.

The goal cancelled out Marko Arnautovic’s opener for Stoke, but Allardyce feels the Austrian’s strike should have been disallowed because of a foul by Peter Crouch on Younes Kaboul in the build up.

Allardyce also felt Sunderland should have been awarded a first-half penalty when the ball struck Cameron on the arm, and was therefore frustrated to see his side tumble back into the bottom three.

“My problem is it (Defoe’s goal) could well have been the winner for us because I don’t think Stoke’s goal should have stood,” said Allardyce. “Peter Crouch has both hands on Younes Kaboul’s shoulders and that is a blatant foul.

“Also, I think the referee and the assistant referee missed a penalty from Cameron’s handball in the box. He puts his hand above his head off a cross from our right after 30 minutes. The assistant referee and the referee just let it go.

“Jermain Defoe tells me after he can’t believe the ref didn’t give it because his hands were way above his head. Not that it would have gone to any of our players, it wouldn’t - it was just a silly thing to do by the Stoke defender and luckily for him and unluckily for us, he got away with it.

“I was pleased the referee was brave enough to give the penalty and we’re still fighting to stay in the Premier League, which is the most important thing with three games to go.”

With Newcastle winning against Crystal Palace, Sunderland’s point was not enough to keep them out relegation zone. However, while they are now a point behind the Magpies, they still have a game in hand with matches against Chelsea, Everton and Watford rounding off the season.

“I was happy to accept a point that’s a point gained rather than two points lost,” added Allardyce. “I think our performance wasn’t our best, we accept that.

“We looked a little bit nervous, more than we’ve done in the last four or five games. Maybe the lads are feeling the pressure a little bit.

“That caused us in possession to give too many easy balls away. But finally in the end Yann M’Vila played a very good ball and it was a super little turn from Jermain Defoe.

“I don’t think anybody could complain about the penalty because Jermain was through one-on-one on the goalkeeper and would probably have scored. I think the defender knew he was beaten so stuck the leg out and brought him down.”