SUNDERLAND were left wondering about what might have been as they claimed a 1-1 draw in a hugely-entertaining game at Leeds United.

The Black Cats have moved a point closer to safety with Bolton Wanderers losing at Derby County, but are still seven points adrift with five games remaining.

They really needed to claim three points against a Leeds side that finished with ten men, and unlike a number of their matches this season, they could not really have done much more as they dominated for long spells at Elland Road.

Paddy McNair fired the Black Cats into the lead at the start of the second half, but they were unable to hold on to their advantage as Pablo Hernandez levelled for Leeds with 18 minutes left.

Ashley Fletcher hit the crossbar in the first half and forced Leeds goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell into two excellent saves, while McNair and Callum McManaman also went close to claiming a Sunderland second.

Leeds were also a threat though, with Ronaldo Vieira and Samuel Saiz both hitting the woodwork.

Chris Coleman made one change to his starting line-up, with Lamine Kone replacing Bryan Oviedo in the backline. That meant Marc Wilson switching to left-back in a flat back four.

The Black Cats went into the game eight points adrift of safety, but started reasonably brightly with Lynden Gooch and Aiden McGeady both offering a threat from the wide positions.

Donald Love fired over as Sunderland created the game’s first opportunity shortly before the quarter-hour mark, but Leeds responded with a sustained spell of pressure that saw Vieira come within inches of firing them into the lead.

Saiz released Vieira towards the corner of the penalty area, but while the midfielder’s fierce low shot beat Lee Camp, it rebounded off the base of the right-hand post.

Peacock-Farrell made his first save of the game shortly after, keeping out McNair’s deflected effort, but Leeds continued to offer a considerable threat when they broke in numbers and Camp did well to parry Saiz’s long-range shot.

The Sunderland goalkeeper produced an even better stop in the 23rd minute, keeping out Hernandez’s low shot after the winger had played a slick one-two with Ezgjan Alioski.

At that stage, Leeds were well on top, but Sunderland rallied towards the end of the first half and created two good chances before the break.

Gooch created the first, driving down the right-hand side to stand up a cross that McGeady headed marginally too close to Peacock-Farrell.

The second came from a corner, with Fletcher meeting McGeady’s centre with a powerful front-post header, only for the ball to rebound to safety off the crossbar. It was an excellent effort from the Middlesbrough loanee, who has been much improved in the last few games.

Having ended the first half strongly, Sunderland began the second period in the same vein, and it took them just three minutes after the interval to forge a breakthrough.

It was an extremely well-worked goal, with Gooch starting things as he back-heeled the ball to Love inside the area. The full-back chipped through to McNair, and the Northern Ireland international claimed his second goal of the season as he rifled a rising drive past Peacock-Farrell’s left hand.

Sunderland continued to threaten after claiming the lead, and Gooch drilled wide of the far post after cutting in from the left-hand post.

McNair drilled a long-range strike straight at Peacock-Farrell shortly after, and McGeady also went close to scoring with a goalbound effort that was blocked by a sliding Alioski.

Leeds initially struggled to create chances in the second half, but Alioski should have done better in the 68thminute as he shot well wide following good approach play from substitute Keemar Roofe.

Four minutes later, though, and Leeds were not as wasteful. Hernandez found himself in space on the left-hand side of the area, and with Love standing off him, the Spaniard curled an excellent finish into the bottom right-hand corner.

Leeds were somewhat fortunate to be level, and the host were indebted to Peacock-Farrell for keeping them on even terms as he made an excellent save from Fletcher with 13 minutes left. The Sunderland striker rose powerfully to meet Gooch’s corner, but Leeds’ keeper did superbly to tip the ball over the bar.

Peacock-Farrell made another good save three minutes later, claiming McNair’s shot from close to the penalty spot. McGeady picked out his fellow midfielder, and McNair should really have done better as he fired straight at the Leeds keeper.

With both sides pushing for a late winner, Camp was also called into action to make an important late save. Saiz turned dangerously in the area, but Camp clawed his fiercely-hit shot around the post.

Saiz was a threat all afternoon, and he came within inches of claiming a winner with two minutes left. His free-kick from the corner of the area beat Camp’s left hand, but the ball hit the inside of the post and somehow stayed out.

Things were getting heated by that stage, and Leeds finished with ten men after their skipper, Gateano Berardi, was sent off in the 89th minute for a foul on Sunderland substitute McManaman.

Sunderland did not have long playing against ten men, but McManaman almost claimed a winner in stoppage time. Receiving the ball from Love, he turned in the area before drilling in a shot that Peacock-Farrell did well to tip over.

Leeds (4-2-3-1): Peacock-Farrell; Dallas, Jansson, O’Connor, Berardi; Phillips (Roofe 65), Vieira; Alioski, Hernandez, Saiz (Anita 90); Lasogga (Ekuban 78).

Subs (not used): Lonergan (gk), Nicell, Pearce, Grot.

Sunderland (4-1-4-1): Camp; Love, Kone, O’Shea, Wilson; Cattermole (LuaLua 90); Gooch, McNair, Honeyman (Ejaria 81), McGeady (McManaman 88); Fletcher.

Subs (not used): Steele (gk), Clarke-Salter, Matthews, Asoro.