NOT for the first time in recent months, it looked like Sunderland's top six chances had slipped away.

It had the feeling of one of those days, the most painful of smash and grabs with party-poopers Watford, with nothing to play for, somehow set to leave with all three points.

They'd scored with two of their three efforts on target and, for the most part, they were content with stopping rather than hurting Sunderland. They were seconds away from doing both.

But just as they did against Luton, Birmingham and West Brom, this young Sunderland side, too fearless to quit, found a way.

Defeat would have all but ended Sunderland's play-off hopes and left them needing too many snookers but a point keeps them in it. Permutations can wait until Blackburn have played Luton on Monday but for Sunderland the equation is simple: win at Preston.

Do that and Sunderland have a chance of extending their season beyond 46 games. Taking it to the final day is the least this likeable side deserve, which can also be said of Saturday's result. Defeat would have been cruel and unfair.

"We kept going right to the very death and got our rewards," said Mowbray in his post-match press conference, holding the hamstring that he injured celebrating Patrick Roberts' stunning late equaliser. As if the treatment room isn't busy enough.

Saturday's attendance - 44,944 - was evidence in itself of this season's success and Mowbray had one overriding emotion, which won't change at Deepdale next week, regardless of how the final day plays out.

"I'm proud of the team," he said.

"I told them after the game how proud I am of their effort and work and I hope all the supporters enjoy watching them work hard and trying to play football with the ball and trying to be creative.

"That's why I feel they need support. That's why I think the team are in a good place at the moment.

"I believe we will go to Preston and win next week, it just depends on the rest of the results."

Preston are out of it now, as are Swansea and Norwich. If Blackburn lose to Luton, their chances will disappear as well. After 70 minutes at a packed out Stadium of Light on Saturday, Sunderland's hopes were quickly slipping away.

They'd conceded two soft set-piece goals, but that's what happens when you don't have a fit centre-half; they were struggling to find a cutting edge at the other end, but that's what happens when you don't have a fit number nine.

Considering both of the above, and all of the other injury issues Mowbray has had to deal with, it's remarkable Sunderland are here, still hoping, still fighting.

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When Ryan Porteous followed Christian Kabesele's lead and headed in from a corner to make it 2-0, Sunderland could have felt sorry for themselves, but instead they showed their resilience to come fighting back.

Luke O'Nien gave players and the fans hope.

"I talked to the players at half-time about when not to force it, when to keep it, it's alright to go back and across and to try and suck them out," said Mowbray.

Jack Clarke was clearly listening closely. When he received the ball on the edge of the area in the 95th minute, he could have taken the advice of the 45,000 fans and pulled the trigger, but instead, he showed brilliant composure and awareness to find Patrick Roberts on the right. What happened next was a moment of pure brilliance.

"Roberts, a guy I've been speaking about since the day I walked in this club, I could never believe he was playing in League One last year, he does what he does, he's an amazing footballer," said Mowbray.

"When we needed him right at the death, he put one right in the top corner.

"We got our rewards, we're still in it."

On to Preston.