Middlesbrough 1-1 Sunderland: Nazariy Rusyn’s late leveller sees visitors earn a point – after Marcus Forss put Michael Carrick’s side ahead

They say you can never sniff a point, especially in a tight play-off race, but there wasn’t much satisfaction from this draw.

Middlesbrough felt they should have claimed victory after Marcus Forss struck home in striking fashion.

Sunderland took a point through Nazariy Rusyn but created enough good chances to take all three.

So this midday confrontation in the northeast ended in something of a truce. Sunderland remain one point behind the top six, while Boro are four behind in twelfth but have a game in hand. Take it and move on.

Michael Beale’s Sunderland were superior before half-time but fell behind thanks to a free-kick on the training pitch that Forss fired home.

Middlesbrough opened the scoring in the 61st minute thanks to Marcus Forss

Sunderland remain one point behind the top six, while Boro are four behind in twelfth but with a game in hand

That gave Michael Carrick’s side the superiority until Sunderland gathered a second wind late on and leveled through substitute Rusyn.

There is always debate as to whether this Tees-Wear clash is actually a proper derby, but anyone who sampled the lively atmosphere before the match would have been in no doubt.

With the Riverside playlist turned off to increase the noise, both groups of fans chimed in, while the huge police presence outside was another indication of the hostility.

Sometimes Sunday afternoon kick-offs can be slow, but that wasn’t the case here as both teams enjoyed golden chances in a goalless opening 45.

Middlesbrough should have led when Sam Greenwood was played clear by left back Lukas Engel’s perfect pass.

Luke O’Nien struggled to keep up and grabbed Greenwood by the arm as he pressed the Sunderland box. Greenwood did not go to ground and saw his effort blocked by goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.

The ball fell to Finn Azaz, the midfielder signed from Aston Villa last month, but he fired over at the first attempt without realizing he had more time.

Sunderland then enjoyed the clearer opportunities. Jack Clarke relished his duel with Luke Ayling on Sunderland’s left, skinning the on-loan Leeds full-back before Tom Glover denied him at the near post.

Michael Beale’s Sunderland were superior before half-time but fell behind thanks to a free-kick on the training pitch that Forss fired home.

That gave Michael Carrick’s side superiority until Sunderland gathered a second wind late on and leveled through substitute Rusyn.

Middlesbrough should have led when Sam Greenwood was played clear by left back Lukas Engel’s perfect pass

Trai Hume forced Glover into a full save from distance before Forss, going back, made an important block to thwart Clarke’s header at the back post.

Still, Sunderland came in front and Abdoullah Ba might have expected to pull back after falling behind to Mason Burstow’s excellent pass. Instead he found the side netting, with only the keeper to beat.

And Middlesbrough owed much to Rav van den Berg’s alertness to clear Ba’s shot off the line after Jobe Bellingham had crept in down the left and Clarke had pushed the ball through.

The hosts started the second half brighter. Ayling poked a shot towards goal after a slick passing move, but Hume blocked, and Greenwood reached the ball just ahead of Patterson after racing behind again, only for a flag to be raised to spare referee Darren England from a penalty.

Patterson almost found himself in hot water when Forss and Greenwood pressed him relentlessly, the keeper’s hasty ball – fortunately for him – bouncing off Forss and behind him.

But Forss punished Sunderland just after the hour mark after a free kick on the training pitch that came in beautifully.

Dan Barlaser rolled the ball to Hayden Hackney, who pushed it into Greenwood. His pass looking for Forss in the box took a deflection off Ekwah, but the end product was certainly emphatic as the Finn controlled, spun and volleyed into the bottom corner.

Engel put the ever-willing Greenwood behind shortly afterwards, but this time his effort was skimmed wide of the goal.

Sunderland had offered virtually nothing after the break, but Dan Ballard came close with a header from Clarke’s free-kick.

And thanks to Rusyn they leveled with seven minutes left. Clarke picked him out with a cross-field pass from the left and the Ukrainian had enough space to tackle the bouncing ball.

His half-volley into the bottom corner was well hit, but Glover should have done better as he was met with a hand.

That changed the momentum and debutant Luke Thomas watched in horror as his free cross from Clarke’s low cross almost beat his own keeper.

Jack Clarke relished his duel with Luke Ayling on Sunderland’s left, skinning the on-loan Leeds full-back before Tom Glover denied him at the near post.

Sunderland had offered virtually nothing after the break, but Dan Ballard came close with a header from Clarke’s free-kick