Patrick van Aanholt secured a point for Sunderland after coming from behind against Bournemouth in their Premier League encounter at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.
The Black Cats are three points from safety after Van Aanholt scored for the second game in a row in the 45th minute.
Bournemouth's top-flight status also remains in danger but a share of the spoils has edged them four points above the drop after 23 games.
Eddie Howe's side looked more like the host team in the early stages of the contest as they dominated the ball and were rewarded in the 13th minute.
Benik Afobe, who joined the Cherries from Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month, scored his second ever goal for the club by converting a diving header into the back of the net.
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Sunderland eventually managed to respond when Fabio Borini played the ball forward for Van Aanholt, who drilled it past goalkeeper Artur Boruc for the equaliser in the 45th minute.
The game could have been won by either side, with the best chance for the Black Cats coming to Billy Jones, whose header went straight into the hands of Boruc.
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Lewis Grabban also squandered an opportunity to snatch all three points as he missed the target with a shot from five yards out after receiving the ball off Matt Ritchie.
Sunderland sit second from bottom in the standings, while Bournemouth are four positions above them in 15th.
Danielle Joynson
