IF Sunderland’s first season in League One mirrors what Jack Ross’ side have been doing on a regular basis on a matchday during the course of this campaign, then the men from Wearside could well enjoy a title party at Southend come May.

The Black Cats, now four points behind leaders Portsmouth, have got into the habit of getting what they want and avoiding defeat. And, with finishing top of the pile top of the agenda for Ross and his players, Pompey should be afraid, very afraid, of being chased down.

At the moment Sunderland are doing their best to let the south coast club edge away. Last weekend they missed an opportunity, with Portsmouth out of action, to hit top spot by not defeating Wycombe at the Stadium of Light, and on Saturday they could only draw 2-2 at mid-table Walsall.

‘Only’ is harsh, given the circumstances. On both of those occasions, Sunderland have come from behind to claim a point.

Against Wycombe they were fortunate because they weren’t on it before battling back to claim a draw, but at Walsall they looked full of confidence and intent only to find themselves two down soon after the break following Max Power’s third red card in a Sunderland shirt, and of his career.

Sunderland have got into a nice habit. That was the seventh time this season they have managed to claw themselves from behind to avoid defeat. The big difference at the Bescot Stadium was that they were shorthanded and had conceded two with less than half an hour left.

And yet, somehow, and from somewhere, Sunderland’s group of players found something from within to fight back. Aiden McGeady got things rolling by picking out the bottom corner with an arched half volley, before Lynden Gooch cleverly picked out the far corner after a shot and turn in the final minute.

The celebrations in front of the 3,400-plus away fans highlighted what it meant to everyone involved. Some entered the pitch to join in, while Luke O’Nien dived on top of one supporter to celebrate with him.

Not for the first time, and probably not the last this season, a day out in League One before Christmas has even past reflected a game with far greater importance riding on it. And this Sunderland group of players get it, they understand what is going on and want it to continue.

“We’re a really close group. You could see that at 2-0 down, we didn’t give up, kept pushing each other and got our reward,” said Gooch. “We have that belief that we’re the best team in the league.

“Last week we couldn’t win to go top and this week we couldn’t but considering the chain of events, in the grand scheme of things, that’s a great point.”

Sunderland could even have gone on to win it in the six minutes of added time, but couldn’t complete a remarkable second half comeback. Nevertheless it still meant a great deal for them to have avoided a first defeat since mid-September, a run now extended to 13 matches.

Gooch, who fired a late effort just over, said: “I just thought, I may as well have a go. Nearly! God knows what would have happened if it had gone in, I think everyone would have been on the pitch. I was just happy to get the goal and that we got the point. It was an amazing feeling when it hit the back of the net.”

If there were frustrations from a Sunderland viewpoint they were at the start of each half and the Power red card.

Ross was rightly delighted with the start his side made but they were unable to take advantage of a heavy spell of pressure which saw nine corners inside 19 minutes, 12 in half an hour, come to nothing. Tom Flanagan and Bryan Oviedo had half chances during that spell and that was about it.

Then there was Power’s dismissal and immediately after half-time Sunderland just didn’t get going and paid the price.

Defensively they were sloppy when Andy Cook, who was unfortunate to have a first half goal ruled out for offside, rolled full-back Nicky Devlin down the right flank. His low delivery was perfect for Josh Gordon to nip ahead of his marker Flanagan and apply the finish.

Six minutes later it was two. Josh Ginnelly, causing problems with his direct running down the left, rolled the ball into space 20 yards out before curling a fantastic right-foot drive inside Jon McLaughlin’s top left corner.

There looked to be no way back from there, and Power must have had his head in his hands in the dressing room listening to the cheers from the home crowd. He had been apologetic at the break for his latest disciplinary blow.

Ross didn’t feel the need for him to do so. An appeal will be lodged today against Power’s third red in his last four league appearances – the European record for one player in a whole season stands at four, shared by Sergio Ramos and Ryan Jack.

The midfielder mistimed his strong 50-50 tackle on Walsall’s Liam Kinsella, who got to the ball just ahead of him and had the Sunderland man’s boot land on his ankle. Referee Craig Hicks felt the wrath of Ross afterwards, and he had the support of his players and the Saddlers boss Dean Keates claiming it didn’t warrant a sending-off.

Gooch said: “From my view, I thought it was a bit harsh. I thought he pulled out of the challenge. It’s disappointing because he’s a big player for us.

“All the lads, I don’t think anyone thought it was a red. It’s one of those things. The main thing is we stuck together and got a big point.

“He’s going through a rough spell, we need to stick together. We’ll need to put an arm round him, make sure he’s alright.

“That’s down to us as a group of players and staff to look after him. We know the quality that he possesses, he’s been promoted twice out of this league. We know we’re going to need him so hopefully he’s back soon.”

Power’s loan from Wigan is due to become permanent in January and if the appeal is unsuccessful over the next 24 hours then he will begin his latest suspension, a hefty five-match one, with tomorrow’s game against Barnsley at the Stadium of Light.

All in all he will have been banned for 12 games before Christmas (excluding the three in the Checkatrade Trophy rules also state he has to miss despite not counting) and he has played just 13 times since arriving from the Latics. He has only started eight in the league.

Regardless of whether Hicks was right or wrong, it required something special for Sunderland to dig Power out of a hole. And, just as they did when he was sent off against Oxford and Bradford, they delivered, and the fans celebrated after witnessing a performance of grit and spirit ... the sort that wins titles.