Sunderland managed to keep their proud home record intact but a stubborn Stoke side made it difficult for the Wearsiders at the Stadium of Light.

Mick McCarthy's men, unbeaten at home since August 16, fell behind to Sebastian Svard's 13th-minute strike but Darren Byfield's header saved a point for the Black Cats after coming off the bench.

Tommy Smith had the first effort for Sunderland but his long-range shot was blocked.

Midfielder Sean Thornton, who continued in place of the injured Jason McAteer, delivered the corner but Stoke goalkeeper Ed de Goey punched clear.

Then the hosts almost scored through Gary Breen from another Thornton corner but Gerry Taggart was on hand to head his goalbound shot clear.

Thornton remained at the centre of things as his shot from the left was tipped round the post by de Goey.

But the home side were then caught out after failing to deal with a Wayne Thomas free-kick.

Darel Russell laid the ball on for Svard, who struck the ball past Mart Poom and into the top right corner from just inside the area.

It was the Danish midfielder's first goal in English football in his sixth start for Stoke since arriving on loan from Arsenal.

Sunderland responded with John Oster and Thornton pushing forward but were frustrated by robust defending from Stoke, and were unable to create another opening before the break.

Carl Asaba, in for the injured Gifton Noel-Williams, dropped back to bolster the visitors' rearguard, leaving Ade Akinbiyi alone up front.

Sunderland enjoyed territorial domination but Akinbiyi was ready to attack on the break, as he did on 39 minutes, shooting wide from 14 yards after Breen surrendered possession.

Stoke continued to attack on the break after the interval with Russell forcing a fantastic save from Poom with a long-range shot.

Thornton then had a penalty appeal turned down after a slight nudge from Akinbiyi but the referee was in a good position and the whistle never came.

Just before the hour, Mick McCarthy made a double substitution in a bid to draw level, with Matthew Piper and Darren Byfield replacing Jeff Whitley and Smith.

And on 69 minutes, McCarthy was rewarded as the pair combined to produce an equaliser. Thornton's free-kick was cleared but Piper's cross back into the danger zone was headed into the bottom left corner by Byfield.

Neither side were happy with a point though as they both pushed forward looking for the winner. Oster played the ball inside for Thornton who shot over from inside the box before Clive Clarke and Russell went close for Stoke.

Piper threatened while Akinbiyi shot wide in injury time but neither could force a winner.

Teams

Sunderland Poom, McCartney, Babb, Breen, Wright, Oster, Thirlwell, Whitley (Piper 54), Thornton, Kyle, Tommy Smith (Byfield 54).

Subs Not Used: Williams, Kevin Cooper, Myhre.

Booked: Wright, Byfield, Babb.

Goals: Byfield 69.

Stoke de Goey, Halls, Marcus Hall, Taggart, Clarke, Hoekstra (Henry 45), Russell, Svard, Thomas, Akinbiyi, Asaba.

Subs Not Used: Foster, Hill, Greenacre, Commons.

Booked: Asaba, Halls, Henry.

Goals: Svard 13.

Att: 24,510

Ref: M Ryan (Lancashire).