SUNDERLAND ................................................................. 2

But before Preston could settle, McGeady made it 2-2 in the 59th minute when he latched on to a pass from Ndong and slotted low past Maxwell from inside the area.

Preston were inches away from retaking the lead a couple of minutes later when Alan Browne’s curling shot from the edge of the box hit the outside of the angle of bar and post and went behind.

Sunderland pushed hard for a winning goal, boosted by the introduction of Duncan Watmore – who was making his comeback after nine months out with a knee ligament injury – for the final 25 minutes.

But they were unable to get the goal their display arguably merited.

Aiden McGeady scores the second Sunderland goal against his former club Preston North End to secure a point