Sebastian Larsson scored a stoppage time free-kick to hand Martin O'Neill a winning start to his reign as manager of Sunderland.
Simon Vuckevic's headed effort looked to have handed Steve Kean's Blackburn Rovers all three points at the Stadium of Light, until Welsh international David Vaughan and Larsson intervened with late goals.
Sunderland started brightly but fell behind in the 17th minute. Christopher Samba's effort was parried away by Keiren Westwood in goal and Vuckevic was on hand to head in the rebound from close range.
Kieran Richardson had a good chance to level up proceedings just one minute later, but his effort from six yards out was held by Paul Robinson.
Blackburn thought they had doubled their lead when Scott Dann headed into an empty net, but the referee had blown for a foul on Westwood by Samba earlier in the move.
The home side continued to push for a equaliser after the break, with both Richardson and Larsson forcing Robinson into saves.
The leveller finally came six minutes from time courtesy of Vaughan, who struck a powerful effort past a flat-footed Robinson from 25 yards out.
Sunderland continued to attack their opponents and the pressure finally told in the first minute of time added-on. Larsson was the scorer, curling a direct free-kick beyond the reach of Robinson with the aid of the upright.
Larsson's strike has seen Sunderland move out of the relegation zone.
