2022 ended with Sunderland losing a striker; 2023 started with a reminder of exactly why the Black Cats can’t afford to see a second depart this month.

Ellis Simms has gone, prematurely recalled by struggling Everton, but Ross Stewart remains and at Blackpool, as he has done on so many previous occasions, the striker came to the rescue at Sunderland’s time of need.

Stewart struck in the second half at Bloomfield Road to rescue a point for Sunderland and took his tally to four goals in four games since his return from injury, yet another reminder, not that one is required, as to why he’s so crucial to the Black Cats’ promotion chances and also why he finds himself as the most in-demand striker in the division in this winter window.

If Sunderland want to stay in the top six, they must surely keep Stewart.

On paper, a draw against lowly Blackpool – who are now without a win in nine – is a slip-up but such was the manner of the first half display it won’t necessarily be seen as two points dropped. That said, Tony Mowbray’s side had more than enough chances to win it in a dominant second half, when they finally got their star striker into the game.

January is bound to be dominated by striker speculation on Wearside, even more so after the exit of Simms. One of the strikers said to be on the club’s radar is Blackpool’s Jerry Yates, yet Michael Appleton named a team selection surprise when he dropped his top scorer and replaced him with Shayne Lavery. It was a bold call from under-pressure Appleton but Lavery repaid his boss midway through the first half when he latched onto a CJ Hamilton through ball and fired the home side ahead.

Sunderland were sloppy. They’d had their moments before falling behind, Amad gifted possession on the edge of the box but over-hitting his pass to Patrick Roberts, who had come into the side for Abdoullah Ba, and soon after a Jack Clarke cross from the left just evading the Manchester United loanee. But home keeper Chris Maxwell didn’t have a save to make until Clarke’s low shot 10 minutes shy of half-time.

Blackpool didn’t look like a team dreadfully out of form. They were sharper than sluggish Sunderland throughout the first half, and should have doubled their lead five minutes before the interval. Hamilton caused problems again down the right and when his cross was fumbled by Patterson, Madine really should have done better with the close-range rebound, blazing over.

Sunderland very nearly had a leveller they didn’t deserve on the stroke of half-time through Amad, their one bright spark in the opening 45 minutes. Hume and Roberts linked-up well on the right and found Amad in the box who crashed a shot off the crossbar.

Amad was outstanding, undoubtedly the Man of the Match and went close early in the second half as Sunderland came to life.

Roberts felt he should have had a penalty when he went sprawling in the box 10 minutes after the restart but referee Tim Robinson waved play on and Blackpool looked to take advantage, breaking at speed, Patterson twice saving smartly.

The crossbar was hit for a second time when Clarke teed up Stewart 20 minutes after the restart, but Blackpool couldn’t keep the striker down. Moments later, he deftly turned home the leveller after fine build-up from Clarke and Hume.

The tide had well and truly turned and Sunderland pushed for the winner. Amad looked to have put a second on a plate for Stewart but the striker couldn’t quite adjust and glanced a header just wide before Amad had a chance of his own late on.

Blackpool had to play the final two minutes of stoppage time with 10 men after Callum Connolly got his second yellow, but the hosts held on.