Browne ensures Black Cats leave Oxford with a point

Marcus Browne denied Sunderland victory on their first visit to Oxford’s Kassam Stadium with an 87th-minute equaliser in an entertaining 1-1 draw.

Browne turned in fellow substitute Jerome Sinclair’s pass as the Black Cats protested that their former loanee had fouled.

Centre-half James Dunne struck his first goal for Sunderland to give them a first-half lead.

Dunne, who joined on loan from Burnley in January, rose highest to powerfully head home Aiden McGeady’s 34th-minute corner from four yards.

The Black Cats were indebted to goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin for three good saves.

First Josh Ruffels saw his downward header at a corner stopped on the goal-line by McLaughlin sticking out a foot.

And moments later Jordan Graham played a neat one-two with Cameron Brannagan inside the box before curling a shot just past the far post.

McLaughlin then produced a stunning one-handed save to his left from Jamie Mackie’s header.

Dunne mercilessly punished the U’s for that wastefulness to put the visitors ahead against the run of play.

In the second half, McLaughlin again saved well with his feet, this time to deny James Henry.