SUNDERLAND boss Mick McCarthy refused to take the credit for Sunderland's fightback last night despite his two second-half substitutes combining to earn the Black Cats a 1-1 draw with fellow play-off hopefuls Stoke, writes SCOTT WILSON.

Matt Piper and Darren Byfield combined to cancel out Sebastian Svard's 13th-minute opener for the Potters to extend Sunderland's unbeaten run to six games.

The duo changed the game after the Black Cats failed to sparkle in the opening hour of a dour encounter at the Stadium of Light.

But, after five games in the space of just 13 days, McCarthy refused to be too critical of the 11 players who had toiled before he made his double switch.

"It's nice when those changes work," he said. "Darren Byfield's had a frustrating time of it since he joined but we all know what he can do.

"It wasn't really working for Tommy Smith, but Darren came on and took his chance well.

"We know what kind of quality Matty Piper has and, when we eventually got the ball out to him, his delivery was superb.

"It wasn't a great day at the office but, having got the goal back, I can only admire the lads' attitude and effort for getting us a point.

"I'm not going to criticise them for having a bad day football-wise because they were up against a powerful team out there who stopped us from playing."

Sunderland's hectic recent schedule looked to be taking its toll as they struggled to stamp their authority on a home game at the Stadium of Light for the second time in four days.

There is no sign of things letting up with Reading, Gillingham and Derby still to come this month, but McCarthy remains confident his players can handle their packed programme.

"They don't look unfit and they don't look physically tired," he said. "But it can affect them mentally because it's the same thing over and over again."

Sunderland's FA Cup semi-final opponents were revealed when Millwall beat Tranmere 2-1 last week to book their place in the last four.

McCarthy spent two years in charge of the Londoners before taking over at the Republic of Ireland and, after watching them beat Sunderland twice this season, he was not surprised to learn of their win at Prenton Park.

"There's no surprise at all," said McCarthy.

"I'm not being disrespectful to Tranmere but I expected Millwall to win.

"Anybody who's beaten us twice already this season will be hard to beat."