Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough

Championship Boro hold back revitalized Sunderland following a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of light this afternoon.

The Teessiders put their dismal start to 2012 behind them for a derby cup fixture against the Stadium of light, the home side, Sunderland had been in great form since, Martin O'Neil had took charge winning their last 2 home games. However it was Middlesbrough who took the lead, Barry Robson catching John O'Shea's poor clearance with a sweet volley to send the Boro fans delirious. Sunderland went in search of an equalizer and thought they had one close to halftime, When Craig Gardener finshed cooly past, Danny Coyne, however the goal was ruled out after it was thought by the referee that Connor Wickham had interfered with play from an offside postion. Sunderland protested this although a quite clear handball from Gardener made it just. Boro came close to doubling their lead near halftime, when Lukas Jutkiewicz raced through to have his intial shot saved by Mingolet however Haroun was quick to get the ball to Jutkiewcz who dragged his effort wide of the post to the annoyance of the Boro fans. Boro went into halftime holding a 1-0 lead , something many didn't expect.

Sunderland eventually got their equalizer after 59 minutes when Barry Robson poor backpass was picked by pacey Northern Irish winger, James McClean who raced through to play it to Fraizer Campbell who could make no mistake in finishing excellently past, Danny Coyne. The goal saw Campbell end a 500 days since scoring a goal. Sunderland could have stole the tie late on however James McClean effort went into the sidenetting rather than the goal.

The result meant the tie will go back to the Riverside on Tuesday 7th Febuary and Boro will be expecting a energetic atmosphere. The 5th round tie also pulled out the winner of the tie with a game against Arsenal at home.