Southgate hit where it hurts once more as Keane boys fight back

Stewart Downing's stunning second-half strike looked to have capped a memorable Boro comeback — and provide ample revenge for Southgate, who came off worse in Keane's X-rated contact with his nether regions as he lay on the ground during a 1995 FA Cup semi-final.

But Sunderland substitute Miller had other ideas, latching on to a Kenwyne Jones knockdown to outmuscle Lee Cattermole and power home a dipping 20-yard effort to earn a share of the spoils with a minute to go.

Sunderland have gathered half their eight points this season with late goals, and Keane said: "You hope every team show that kind of spirit and determination when they're down 2-1.

"Liam's hit a special goal and it seemed we needed something like that to get back in the game. It was touch and go whether he was going to start today and, believe it or not, he hit a couple like that in training yesterday."

Southgate refused to be too downhearted, saying: "It would be easy to throw things and be annoyed but I'm proud of the players. We looked like we might edge it and the lads are down and out on their feet. But I won't let them leave the ground like that because they were a credit to themselves."

A Tees-Wear derby not for the squeamish had seven bookings while warring duo Cattermole and Grant Leadbitter were lucky to avoid red cards after sparking a 15-man second-half free-for-all.

Middlesbrough's Gary O'Neil and substitute Dong-gook Lee each went close before Downing accepted George Boateng's pass to hit a swerving 25-yard effort low past Craig Gordon on 67 minutes.

Sunderland had stunned Middlesbrough by opening the scoring after just 77 seconds. Tommy Miller struck inside two minutes to pave the way for victory on Sunderland's previous visit to the Riverside, and it was another midfielder in Leadbitter who ensured the latest explosive start to this passionate local spat.

The Wearside-born youngster burst past Julio Arca's weak challenge to feed Michael Chopra, whose curling effort from the edge of the area hit Leadbitter and fell kindly for him to beat exposed keeper Mark Schwarzer from eight yards.

Middlesbrough refused to panic and it came as no surprise when the hosts restored parity in the 15th minute through former Stadium of Light favourite Arca.

O'Neil, on his home debut, was afforded too much space by fullback Danny Collins to send over a cross from the right. Greg Halford and Dickson Etuhu were guilty of ball-watching and Arca stole in to head low into the net.

Arca showed the bond he built up with Sunderland fans in a six-year stint on Wearside by refusing to celebrate his strike as he was mobbed by team-mates in front of the away end.

Tuncay Sanli had already limped off for Middlesbrough, and Arca had little chance to savour his goal before he was carried off with a knee injury inside the half-hour following a crunching 50-50 challenge with Dwight Yorke.

Mido succumbed to a second-half hamstring problem, and Southgate said: "The hospital's going to be busy. Julio looks like medial ligament damage, Tuncay is a shin injury and Mido a hamstring."

Boro were unlucky not to be handed a chance to go ahead in the first half when Danny Higginbotham batted down O'Neil's pass, but referee Howard Webb waved play on.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Young, Wheater, Woodgate, Taylor; O'Neil, Rochemback, Arca (Boateng 27min), Downing; Mido (Cattermole 58), Tuncay (Lee 12). Subs (not used): Jones, Riggott. Booked: Boateng, Taylor, Cattermole.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Gordon; Halford, McShane, Higginbotham, Collins; Leadbitter, Etuhu (Miller 53), Yorke (Stokes 67), Wallace (O'Donovan 76); Jones, Chopra. Subs (not used): Ward, Harte. Booked: Etuhu, Chopra, Leadbitter, Miller.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).