Alan Johnston grabbed a last-gasp equaliser against an enterprising Birmingham but it was not enough to take Sunderland to the top of the First Division.

Sunderland looked set for a first defeat in 13 games at the Stadium of Light until the Scot finally gave another bumper crowd a glimmer of hope when notching his tenth goal of the season following a Niall Quinn knock-down.

Dele Adebola had given Birmingham the lead with his fifth goal in seven games since his £1million move from Crewe.

The gangling striker stuck in the 50th minute, controlling a left-wing centre from Peter Ndlovu to beat Lionel Perez with a crisp left-foot drive.

The Blues, boosted by manager Trevor Francis's decision to reverse his weekend threat to quit, were rarely threatened by the First Division's leading goalscorers.

Birmingham in fact took the game by the scruff of the neck, forcing seven corners in the first half.

Steve Bruce was just off target from a Jon McCarthy corner, Martin Grainger hit a free kick only inches too high and Ndlovu was only a whisker away after taking on the home defence single handed.

Sunderland's only response was Ian Bennett saving an Alex Rae drive and Jody Craddock heading a free kick past the post.

Manager Peter Reid's response to his side falling behind was to substitute a disappointing Daniele Dichio on his first start since a £750,000 move from Sampdoria and bring on Quinn.

But the Irish International, not fully recovered from an ankle injury sustained after scoring a hat trick in Saturdays 4-1 win over Stockport, was unable to spark off the desired revival.

Only a great save by Perez from Grainger prevented the Blues from going further ahead before Sunderland finally got their act together.

Quinn just failed to apply the finishing touch to a Kevin Phillips centre and when Lee Clark was brought down in the box when challenged by the impressive Steve Bruce, the referee flatly refused claims for a penalty.

Darren Williams had a header saved just inside the post and Birmingham looked full value for a win until Johnston struck in the 90th minute.

Teams

Sunderland: Perez, Holloway (Summerbee 64), Gray, Clark, Craddock, Williams, Ball, Rae, Dichio (Quinn 53), Phillips, Johnston.

Subs Not Used: Makin.

Booked: Craddock.

Goals: Johnston 90.

Birmingham: Bennett, Bass, Charlton, Bruce, Johnson, Marsden, McCarthy, O'Connor, Adebola, Grainger, Ndlovu (Hughes 82).

Subs Not Used: Forster, Ablett.

Booked: Ndlovu.

Goals: Adebola 50.

Att: 37,602

Ref: K M Lynch (Knaresborough).