Alex Rae kept Sunderland's European dream on track with a second-half equaliser against Derby at the Stadium of Light.

But while a point was vital for Jim Smith's relegation-threatened Rams, they should have taken all three.

Rae stabbed home Michael Gray's left-wing cross just three minutes after Derby had snatched a shock lead.

The visitors took the game to Sunderland for much of the second half, led by the thrusting runs of interval substitute Malcolm Christie. Rory Delap shot low into the box and Sunderland keeper Thomas Sorensen could only palm the ball into the path of Christie, who shot home from six yards.

It was no more than Derby deserved with Stefano Eranio and Craig Burley becoming busier on the flanks and Sunderland put on the back foot. And despite Rae's equaliser, the visitors continued to have the better chances, with Delap heading straight at Sorensen after a pinpoint Steve Elliott cross, and Jacob Laursen almost snatching it at the death when his curling free-kick rose inches over the bar.

It was enough from Derby to suggest they stand a good chance of winning their fight for Premiership survival. If they do not, their profligacy in front of goal in games like this will come back to haunt them.

Sunderland, booed off at half-time by their own fans, shaded the first half with Rae prominent in the middle and Gray, returning after a bout of sciatica, dangerous on the flank.

Niall Quinn's expert header gave Kevin Kilbane the best chance of the first period, but he advanced too quickly into the box and was foiled by the onrushing Derby goalkeeper Mart Poom.

Derby, for their part, were reliant on the fancy footwork of Georgi Kinkladze but at least their tenacious defending barely gave a sniff of a chance to the Premiership's leading scorer Kevin Phillips.

Phillips, anxious to press his Euro 2000 claims, was restricted to just one chance on 22 minutes but he shot straight at Poom.

The exciting Kinkladze was booked for diving one minute into the second half after rushing into the box and falling under the challenge of home skipper Paul Butler.

As one would expect from a game between the two teams with the worst disciplinary record in the Premiership, there was a controversial moment late in the game when Derby captain Darryl Powell fell clutching his face after tangling with Rae.

Powell had to be restrained from his team-mates as he remonstrated with his opposite number, but referee Alan Wiley took no action.

Teams:

Sunderland: Sorensen, Williams, Craddock, P. Butler, Gray, Thirlwell, Rae, Roy (Holloway 60), Kilbane, Quinn, Phillips.

Subs Not Used: Marriott, Oster, Reddy, Summerbee.

Booked: Williams, Rae.

Goals: Rae 62.

Derby: Poom, Laursen, Carbonari, Elliott, Delap, Burley (Schnoor 76), Kinkladze (Sturridge 90), Powell, Johnson, Eranio, Strupar (Christie 45).

Subs Not Used: Nimni, Oakes.

Booked: Carbonari, Kinkladze, Burley.

Goals: Christie 60.

Att: 41,940

Ref: A Wiley (Walsall).