MARCUS Stewart's first half penalty miss may have had Ipswich Town fans jumping for joy, but the former Tractor Boy should still have the last laugh come May 7.

By avoiding defeat at Portman Road yesterday, Sunderland remain on course for the Premiership, five points clear of Joe Royle's side in third-place, with three games remaining.

But it could have been even better for Mick McCarthy's men, who were just minutes away from clinching all three points.

Sunderland were on course to extend their lead over third spot to eight points, when Carl Robinson made it 2-1 in the 84th minute.

But with just a minute of normal time remaining Darren Bent made the most of some hesitant defending to draw Town level.

There may have been more mind games than an audience with Derren Brown in the build-up to yesterday's mid-day showdown, but it was McCarthy who gained the psychological upper-hand in the race for automatic promotion.

McCarthy was at Molineux on Monday night to see Ipswich stumble to a 2-0 defeat at Wolves.

Afterwards Town boss Royle snapped: "Mick has gone away with a big smile on his face but he's not daft, he knows we will be a lot better on Sunday."

In return McCarthy suggested he would require the same surgeon who wiped the smile of Royle's face after Reading's win at the Stadium of Light nine days ago.

Neither manager could complain with the commitment of their respective sides, although McCarthy may feel aggrieved that Sunderland remain five and not eight points clear of Ipswich.

It was only last week there were reported sightings of a ghost at Sunderland's training ground, and there was no lack of spirit from the Black Cats in a thoroughly entertaining game in sunny Suffolk.

With three games to go - Leicester (h), West Ham (a) and Stoke (h) - Sunderland are two wins from Premiership football next season.

And after yesterday's ding-dong battle there is little evidence to suggest that McCarthy's men will loosen their grip at the top of the Championship.

McCarthy was forced to make just one change from the side that lost to Reading, with Michael Ingham replacing Thomas Myhre in goal. Liam Lawrence passed a late fitness test on a groin strain to keep his place in the starting XI.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to the visitors after Kevin Horlock sent Dean Whitehead crashing to the ground in the fourth minute - Lawrence's resultant free-kick turned around the post by Kelvin Davis.

There was a major let off for Sunderland four minutes later when Fabian Wilnis's long throw into the box was misjudged by Gary Breen, falling for Bent at the back post, who could only send his header over the bar.

And, while it was the home side, in front of an expectant full house, who dictated the opening exchanges, it was a rare breakaway at the other end which almost resulted in an unexpected Sunderland goal. Lawrence broke free from his marker down the right, before playing in to Whitehead, who pulled his effort wide of Davis' goal.

At the other end Bent showed good skill down the right to shake off George McCartney and his cross for Shefki Kuqi was just as impressive, but the Finnish striker failed to get enough purchase on the ball.

Moments later Stewart - recently voted Ipswich's third best player of all time - squandered a golden chance to open the scoring; dragging his penalty wide of Davis' left hand post. In truth, Stewart should have given the Sunderland the lead in the build-up to the spot-kick.

He found space down the right, and in a good position to shoot, Stewart chose instead to square for Julio Arca, only for Wilnis to block with his arm.

With the home crowd buoyed by Stewart's miss, Town regrouped and Darren Currie drove straight into the arms of Ingham.

However, it was the visitors who were once again presented with another opportunity to break the deadlock but Chris Brown made a hash of a close-range effort.

And, after Stephen Caldwell conceded a free-kick at the other end, David Unsworth curled his set-piece inches over the angle of Ingham's goal.

It was Sunderland's turn to set the tone early in the second half and shortly after the restart Lawrence fired over, before Caldwell struck the Ipswich cross-bar from Lawrence's free-kick.

Against the run of play Sunderland fell behind. Ingham failed to deal with an Ipswich corner and defender Richard Naylor was on hand to force the ball over the line from close range.

But just minutes after their introductions Brian Deane and Stephen Elliott combined to level for the visitors. Stephen Wright picked out Deane at the back post, who nodded across the face of goal for Elliott to head home.

Substitute Sean Thornton came close to giving Sunderland the lead, turning his set piece just wide, but Robinson made no mistake moments later - steering past Davis after good work by Arca and McCartney down the left.

But just as Sunderland's travelling contingent were cheering their side to the Premiership, Bent struck with two minutes remaining to keep Ipswich's slim automatic promotion hopes alive.

Result: Ipswich Town 2 Sunderland 2.

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