Patrick Roberts scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Sunderland salvaged a point to record a 1-1 Championship draw with Bristol City.

The Black Cats held the ball well in the first half, but they were unable to trouble the visitors and were frustrated further after having a penalty appeal dismissed just before the break when Aji Alese went down in the box.

Luke McNally fired City ahead in the 63rd minute after Sunderland were unable to clear the ball.

However, Roberts struck in the third minute of second-half stoppage-time to snatch a point for the Black Cats and maintain their unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light this season.

City showed a flash of danger in the early exchanges when Yu Hirakawa won the ball in the penalty box and Anthony Patterson made a comfortable save from Max Bird’s shot.

The hosts began to grow into the game with teenage winger Tommy Watson – fresh from his first Sunderland goals on Saturday – causing problems down the left flank.

Wilson Isidor pounced on the end of a brilliant through-ball before flicking a pass to Chris Rigg, who had his low shot easily taken by Max O’Leary.

The goalkeeper was back in action just moments later, making a quick stop to claw away Isidor’s header.

Sinclair Armstrong had a low effort blocked from a tight angle and Sunderland suddenly had a string of half-chances in the box before the ball was cleared.

The hosts were then handed a blow in the 26th minute when Watson was taken off with a knock and Roberts was brought on.

A frustrating half saw Sunderland have a penalty appeal waved away by referee Dean Whitestone five minutes before the break, after Alese went down in the box following a tangle with Hirakawa.

Substitute George Earthy had a free-kick easily collected by Patterson as City started the second half brightly.

The Robins struck just after the hour mark when Sunderland were unable to clear their lines and a loose ball dropped into the path of McNally, who fired the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the six-yard area.

Rigg came close twice, having a sliding effort blocked before his backheel flick was cleared away.

Anis Mehmeti looked to extend City’s lead but fired over the crossbar and the Black Cats were on the charge again when Rigg blasted wide.

Substitute Adil Aouchiche had a tame effort saved by O’Leary and Rob Dickie cleared a menacing free-kick away with his head in the final stages.

However, Roberts found the equaliser for Sunderland in the third minute of stoppage-time, blasting the ball into the top corner from a tight angle on the left.

O’Leary then made a fantastic save in the closing minutes to deny Dan Ballard, tipping his header over the crossbar as the spoils were shared.