Sunderland threw away a two-goal lead following a 97th minute penalty and dropped off the top spot in League One.
Ross Stewart’s fifth goal of the season gave Sunderland the lead in the first half; Aiden McGeady’s strike from the spot gave the lads a two-goal advantage, but the home side bounced back through Callum Morton, and right at the death Garner converted a penalty to give the hosts a point.
Lee Johnson made one change to the line-up that beat Accrington Stanley with the suspended Tom Flanagan dropping out for Bailey Wright. There was a familiar face in the home dugout with Simon Grayson in charge of the hosts who was looking to get a positive result against his former side.
Sunderland were the first to have an opportunity as Ross Stewart got on the end of a Lynden Gooch cross but could only fire a header straight towards Alex Cairns. The hosts had the best chance of the early stages, Callum Morton found himself clean through, but the Fleetwood striker was denied by Ron-Thorben Hoffman who made a brilliant save, and the German managed to get to the rebound and clear.
Sunderland took the lead courtesy of their main man Stewart, who headed home from a lovely whipped free-kick from Elliot Embleton.
The lads almost made it two as Aiden McGeady squared up his man and beat him to the left but flashed an effort just wide of Cairns’ post. Following that shaky moment where Hoffman was called into action, Sunderland were comfortable and in control of possession.
The lads had edged the half, but the hosts were still a threat; the two sides went into the break knowing the next goal was crucial.
The hosts had started the second the better, and with the introduction of Joe Garner, they were looking to be more aggressive. Sunderland had grown into the half, and Aiden McGeady cut inside well and unleashed an effort that was brilliantly saved by Cairns. The home side found themselves through on goal with Morton in behind Carl Winchester, but the fullback did brilliantly to recover and turn it behind.
Sunderland were looking to get a second and brought on Nathan Broadhead in place of Embleton to put an extra body up top. Following some good play from Dennis Cirkin down the left, the ball made its way to Gooch wide right, who tried to beat Cairns at his near post, but the keeper did well to tip it wide. From the following corner, Sunderland were given a penalty; Luke O’Nien was hauled back, and the referee pointed to the spot. Aiden McGeady stepped up slotted it underneath Cairns to get his second goal of the season.
Fleetwood pulled a goal back with less than ten minutes to play as Morton was slipped in and tucked it past Hoffman. The hosts were pushing for that equaliser and Ged Garner’s flick just evaded Hoffman’s far post to safety.
Fleetwood were inches away from getting a stoppage time goal, but Hoffman made an amazing save and then Corry Evans was there to clear off the line. In the 96th minute of the game Fleetwood were given a penalty and Garner sent Hoffman the wrong way.
Full Time: Fleetwood 2-2 Sunderland
ALS Man of the Match: Ross Stewart
Sunderland: Hoffmann; Winchester, Wright, Doyle, Cirkin; O'Nien, Neil (Evans 67’), Gooch, Embleton Broadhead 72’), McGeady (Alves 90’); Stewart
Subs Not Used: Burge, Huggins, Dajaku & Pritchard
