CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Sunderland v Middlesbrough 14/10/96 8.00

Sunderland              (1) 2 Middlesbrough           (1) 2 FT
Rae 21 (pen)                  Emerson 18
Russell 61                    Ravanelli 53

Ten-man Sunderland staged a courageous fightback to earn a 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough in the final Wear-Tees derby at Roker Park.

Fabrizio Ravanelli fired Boro into a 2-1 lead eight minutes into the second-half his 11th of the season and his first away from home.

And when Richard Ord was sent off for stamping on Nick Barmby five minutes later Sunderland had a mountain to climb.

But Peter Reid's men refused to give up the fight and substitute Craig Russell earned them a 61st-minute equaliser.

Brazilian Emerson had given Boro an 18th-minute lead with a spectacular 25-yard strike but Alex Rae equalised from the penalty spot four minutes later after Phil Whelan had fouled Paul Stewart.

Ord's dismissal was Sunderland's third in their last two games following the sending off of Martin Scott and Stewart at Arsenal although Stewart was later cleared by referee Paul Danson.

Boro boss Bryan Robson welcomed skipper Nigel Pearson back from a knee injury and, with Steve Vickers and Robbie Mustoe fit again after toe and shoulder injuries, the Teessiders were at full strength.

Reid had to decide who to play up front alongside Stewart in the continued absence of knee ligament injury victim Niall Quinn, and opted for Rae.

Boro's defence had let them down against Arsenal and Southampton and Sunderland were eager to exploit any early vulnerability.

Whelan's fragile confidence was exposed by a underhit back pass in the fourth minute. Stewart latched onto the gift and bore down on goal but Vickers rescued Boro with a well-timed tackle deep inside his penalty area.

Sunderland's early momentum was checked by the loss of Steve Agnew injured by an innocuous looking challenge from Emerson and replaced by Russell and Boro began to gain a foothold in the game.

Boro's first real threat on 18 minutes was rewarded with a spectacular goal from Emerson.

Ravanelli released Curtis Fleming on the left and when Andy Melville made a mess of his attempt to clear the resulting cross, Emerson let fly from 25 yards and the ball deflected off Paul Bracewell's studs on its way past Tony Coton.

Sunderland responded with even greater determination and within four minutes they were level. Referee Graham Poll penalised Whelan for holding down Stewart and Rae stepped up to claim his first Premiership goal from the spot aided by Boro keeper Alan Miller, who dived the right way but allowed the ball to slip under his body.

Coton saved another effort from Emerson and Miller claimed Stewart's rising drive as the frantic pace of the game was maintained up to the break without any further goals.

Boro regained the lead eight minutes into the second-half when Barmby's left-wing corner provoked panic in the Sunderland box and, after an almighty scramble, the ball broke kindly for Ravanelli to bury a left-foot shot past Coton from close range.

Sunderland's hopes suffered a second hammer blow five minutes later when Richard Ord tripped Barmby and then appeared to stamp on the England striker as he followed through leaving the referee with little choice other than to wave the red card.

But Reid's 10 men were in no mood to lie down and their determination earned them a 61st-minute equaliser. Kevin Ball found space on the left and his cross was swept home at the far post by Russell.