Joe Royle was delighted to take a point out of the game against Sunderland after the 2-2 draw, conceding the visitors were the better team over the 90 minutes.

Darren Bent grabbed an 88^th minute equaliser to give Blues a share of the spoils following earlier goals from Richard Naylor for Town and Stephen Elliott and Carl Robinson for the Black Cats.

"I am delighted with the point because Sunderland will be very disappointed they didn't leave with all three," said Town boss Joe.

"They played very well, broke quickly from midfield and Kelvin had to make two or three good saves for us.

"We are probably fortunate to get a point but our lads are as honest as they come and you can never question their character.

"Sometimes you have to hand the opposition credit and I thought Sunderland were excellent today and I think they are odds on for the Premiership now."

Joe wasn't happy about the penalty awarded against Fabian Wilnis for handball in the first-half, the spot-kick missed by Marcus Stewart.

He also felt that Town could have had a penalty when Shefki Kuqi blasted goalwards in the last seconds, the ball appearing to hit a Black Cats arm.

"I felt Shefki could have had a penalty at the end and it was a harsh decision against Fabian. He slipped over and couldn't get out of the way of the cross."

Joe was disappointed that Town didn't put more pressure of rookie goalkeeper Michael Ingham adding: "I wanted us to put some corners in and balls under the bar to test the youngster out but we didn't really do that in the first-half.

"It was better after the break and the first goal came from that and there was no foul on the 'keeper either."