Sunderland missed a glorious opportunity to boost their slim Sky Bet Championship survival hopes after drawing 1-1 with 10-man Leeds at Elland Road.
The Black Cats looked to be taking full advantage of fellow strugglers Birmingham and Bolton dropping points when Paddy McNair opened the scoring.
But Pablo Hernandez levelled 18 minutes from time to leave Sunderland, who dropped down from the Premier League last season, with a mountain to climb.
Chris Coleman's side are now seven points adrift of safety with just five games remaining.
Mid-table Leeds had skipper Gaetano Berardi sent off for a rash tackle on substitute Callum McManaman at the death.
Leeds United 1-1 Sunderland
