Regis Le Bris’ side almost pulled off one of the results of the season against an Aston Villa chasing Champions League qualification.
With the game approaching its closing minutes, Villa appeared to be cruising at 3-1.
But Unai Emery’s side did not appear to have heeded the words of their manager who described them as ‘lazy’ when they drew at the Stadium of Light in September.
Because Sunderland caught them cold with two goals in the space of 58 seconds - Trai Hume and Wilson Isidor netting to send the travelling fans wild.
Both goals came as Villa substitute Jadon Sancho made two costly mistakes - just six minutes after coming on.
But it could have been so much better. Habib Diarra broke clear with just goalkeeper Emi Martinez to beat.
Diarra tried to lob the ball over the Argentinian, but Martinez’s fingertip save denied him.
The action then switched to the other end, and Lucas Digne’s cross was glanced in by Villa sub Tammy Abraham.
The frustration in the Sunderland camp was plain to see - not only were they so close to a third successive win, but it would have been a victory to live long in the memory of Black Cats supporters.
But there was one moment to treasure - Chris Riggs’s first Premier League goal.
John McGinn had set up Ollie Watkins to open the scoring less than two minutes into the game.
But Villa were pegged back just seven minutes later by a Sunderland side searching for a third successive win.
Eighteen-year-old Rigg curled a superb finish into the far corner after Noah Sadiki’s lay off from Diarra’s cross.
Not only was it his first of the season, it was his first in the top-flight - making him the third youngest player to score for Sunderland at this level.
Rigg said later: “It was a big game for both teams. We had a slow start and then got back into it.
"It's not over until it's over, we keep fighting to the end but it's unfortunate. We could've won it.
"There are always positives to take from a game like that but we need to pick up the negatives and fix up."
But Villa almost regained the lead in a frantic start to the game - which was almost as chaotic as the finish.
Amadou Onana headed against the crossbar from a McGinn corner, and Brian Brobbey had to clear off the line.
But Watkins was on target again nine minutes before the break. Ian Maatsen made space on the left from Rogers’ pass, wriggled through the Sunderland defence, and provided the ball for Watkins was there to head home again from close range.
But Emery was going mad on the touchline as Sunderland were allowed to create more chances to level the game again.
The Villa manager had made it clear in his programme notes that Villa’s draw at Sunderland in September was a ‘turning point’ for the team.
But even with Villa apparently coasting, he was not prepared to let his team sit back.
And it was as if he knew what was coming. Villa started the half in ideal fashion with McGinn and Ross Barkley setting up the move that saw Watkins find Rogers to score - and seemingly put the game beyond doubt.
But Sunderland had other ideas - as they captialised on Sancho’s indecision. Sancho allowed himself to be robbed and Hume nipped in top to score from a tight angle.
Incredibly, Sunderland were level less than a minute later as Villa capitulated. Enzo Le Fee pounced on an uncertain Sancho and supplied Isidor who calmly slotted home for what had seemed to be a superb point.
Villa were in panic mode by this stage and it looked as though the Black Cat would silence a home crowd which has been in jubilant mood since the opening stages.
For Villa to then win it was a real kick in the teeth for Sunderland - but Le Bris must take heart from how his team performed overall.
They did not accept defeat and carried on the form they had shown against Newcastle and Tottenham. Surely, Le Bris can look at the big picture and see the fight that his team showed when the game appeared to be lost.