ONE of the goals of the season could turn out to be the most important moments of Sunderland’s season. For all Tony Mowbray’s side are lauded for their silk and skill, what’s just as impressive is their resilience. They just don’t know when they’re beaten.

After last week’s brilliant comeback at West Brom, the Black Cats mounted another superb fightback, this time to snatch a 2-2 draw with Watford – the very least they deserved.

The draw, secured thanks to Patrick Roberts’ stunning 95th minute goal, keeps Sunderland’s play-off hopes alive. Had Sunderland lost then a Blackburn win against Luton on Monday night would have put an end to their top six ambitions for this season.

But thanks to their brilliant late fightback, they now know they’re taking it to the final day.

A game that started with hope looked like it would end in frustration for Sunderland and a sell-out crowd when they trailed 2-0 with 20 minutes to play. But, just as they did at the Hawthorns, Sunderland dusted themselves down and came firing back.

Christian Kabesele headed in from a corner in the first half and fellow defender Ryan Porteous followed suit in the second to put Watford in control but Luke O’Nien gave Sunderland hope and, with their 23rd shot on goal, deep in stoppage time, Roberts levelled.

It leaves Sunderland seventh, two points adrift of Millwall.

It was clear early on that Sunderland weren't going to let the expectation or occasion get to them. On the back of that brilliant win at West Brom, Mowbray’s side were bright and boosted by the vibrant atmosphere.

The attacking players looked very much in the mood, with Patrick Roberts baffling Watford with some classy early touches and Joe Gelhardt, who Mowbray said this week is playing as well as he’s played since joining the club, forcing Hamza Choudry into an early booking after a jinking run. Amad Diallo flashed the free-kick just wide.

But against the run of play, Sunderland fell behind. Watford had offered very little before Kabesele thumped home a header on 19 minutes. It was the away side’s first effort on target from their first set-piece.

The goal briefly sapped some of the early life out of Sunderland and Watford, dangerous on the counter, looked to take full advantage. Ryan Andrews had a shot from distance saved by Anthony Patterson and Yasser Asprilla dragged a volley wide when he should have hit the target.

Just as they did last week, though, the Black Cats picked themselves up and set about searching for a way back into the game. Roberts wasn’t far away from squaring up the score 10 minutes before the break when he cut inside and fired just wide of the far post.

Sunderland had to keep disciplined and strike the right balance. As much as they wanted to push for the equaliser, Watford were a threat on the break and after a counter down the right, the visitors were only denied a second goal when Pierre Ekwah did well to block a Ken Sema shot.

Sunderland needed a Hawthorns repeat but the second half very nearly got off to the worst possible start, Patterson making a fine reaction save to keep out a deflected Ismalia Sarr cross and keep his side in it.

Sunderland dominated possession and continued to probe. Bachmann made a good save to keep out a Trai Hume header and Ekwah dragged a shot wide shortly before being replaced by Pritchard.

Watford were happy to sit deep and frustrate and it was starting to feel like one of those days. Amad was seeing more and more of the ball in the hope the youngster could come up with one of his moments of magic.

But it was Watford who got the second goal when Porteous headed home a corner from the left side. That looked to be it for Sunderland but within 60 seconds they’d given themselves a lifeline with Luke O’Nien prodding home a Pritchard volley from close range. Hope.

Jack Clarke fired over from inside the box and wanted a penalty when he went down in stoppage time, but the claims were waved away. That looked to be that, but Sunderland kept coming.

Clarke could have panicked and pulled the trigger on the edge of the box five minutes into stoppage time but instead picked out Roberts on the right, who found the top corner with a stunning finish.