SOUTHAMPTON manager Gordon Strachan could have put his finger on the reason for Sunderland's fall from grace this season - their secret weapon is no longer a secret.

For during the last two campaigns Peter Reid's men climbed to dizzy Premiership heights when they surprised opponents by their tenacity and the fury of their fight. But now the Wearsiders' insatiable appetite for hard work is not reaping the same dividends - and they are in danger of being swallowed up into a desperate relegation dogfight.

Strachan, disappointed that his side's better football and inventiveness had not been rewarded with victory in the 100th League game at the notoriously inhospitable Stadium of Light, revealed: "You know what you are getting when you play against Sunderland and to be fair I think that might be affecting them.

"Everybody is ready for Sunderland's commitment and attitude. You get ready for that so it doesn't take you by surprise.

"Sometimes a team's commitment will surprise you, but I'm never surprised by that when we're playing Sunderland."

Sunderland, everyone knew, just had to beat Southampton - regarded by many as one of the weaker teams in the bottom half of the table - to start breathing a little more easily.

But despite the elation of a goal which seemed sure to earn three precious points, they conceded an equaliser two minutes from time to a Southampton side which certainly deserved at least a share of the spoils.

Sunderland were their usual predictable selves - lots of hard work, huff and puff, but not an over abundance of skill.

The crowd, however, was not too concerned about that, but they were not happy about the way Southampton had more ideas going forward and looked the much more dangerous outfit.

It is true that home goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was never severely tested in the first half, but a couple of enterprising shots from Kevin Davies dipped onto the roof of the net, while tidy striker Brett Ormerod was also close.

Sunderland's only real threat in a disappointing first half was a typical long-ranger from Kevin Phillips, which was just not high enough to beat a rather fortunate Paul Jones.

And all this time young Northern Ireland international George McCartney, who has proved himself an accomplished left back, looked sorely out of place on the right. A tactical substitution at half time saw Sunderland tighten up considerably, with Swedish international Joachim Bjorklund taking over in the heart of defence and the versatile Darren Williams looking a more effective right back.

Sunderland stayed level more by good luck than good management - and then got the break they so badly needed when Jason McAteer cracked home a lovely goal in the 62nd minute.

But Southampton continued to push forward and were finally rewarded with a goal just two minutes from time. Bjorklund dived in with a rash challenge on the left and the free kick was nodded home by substitute Jo Tessem for an equaliser which stunned the home fans.

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