CHRIS COLEMAN and Tony Pulis had contrasting views about the decision to send Adama Traore off after Sunderland struck a late equaliser to earn a point in a dramatic Wear-Tees derby.

The Black Cats remain rooted to the foot of the Championship, four points adrift of safety, despite pegging back Boro who missed out on a chance to climb into the play-off places.

Callum McManaman hit the injury-time volley to make it 3-3 after incidents galore at the Stadium off Light.

Sunderland took the lead in the 11th minute when Joel Asoro poked a finish over the line before Jake Clarke-Salter was red carded 13 minutes later for a lunge on Traore.

Boro’s Spanish winger was dismissed himself for raising his hands to Bryan Oviedo after a tussle even though Pulis argued the Costa Rican should also have been penalised.

After those Patrick Bamford hit a double either side of Grant Leadbitter penalty to put Middlesbrough on track for three points.

But Sunderland earned a point when McManaman’s late volley added to Jonny Williams’ earlier strike in the second half.

Coleman, whose side are winless in six and have lost four of those, said: “If we want to keep our home supporters with us, them coming, then we have to keep doing what we did today and against Bolton.

“If we want to make the last dozen games uncomfortable, make it feel like five seasons long, then keep turning up like we were pre-Bolton. We have to go for it and stay in our games. That sends good messages and vibes, we did that today.

“If we do that more often than not we will get points. It’s not easy but it’s very doable. There will be a time when we win and it will change the face of everything.

“I am convinced it will come. We have to keep performing like that, even if we lacked quality in certain areas, but we created chances and gave a lot. It’s simple.

“I couldn’t argue with the red for Jake, head loss from Jake who has been good for us. Traore is their hottest player, he was a loss for them, once you have raised your hands there is only one outcome and it happened twice.

“I wouldn’t argue about either red card. We were hampered more by losing Jake than they were, even though they lose an exciting player. We lost shape.”

Pulis, though, was less impressed. He knew his team had defended badly for a couple of goals - he also questioned a couple of decisions from referee Tim Robinson.

He said: “We are disappointed, the score in 97th minute not the 96th. When the corner comes in you expect it to be defended better. We conceded two goals from a long throw and a corner. That is disappointing.

“There’s really good things about this team I like, but other things they have to really toughen up to. Seeing games out, things through is one of them.

“It’s the mental stuff, the crowd with the last opportunity of the game is when you puff your chest out and dig in, concentrate, I am disappointed for the fans today.

“Adama’s sending off was a disappointment, Oviedo has walked round the back of him and poked him in the eye, Adama has raised his hands and shouldn’t have shoved him in the chest. I am not sure if we can appeal but if we can we will.”