Both teams lie on 36 points, if a team wins the other is left to fight tooth and nail to survive, that club is us.

We got off to a great start, a clever ball from Alves sent Tuncay on his way and he slipped it past Craig Gordon with his left foot and we were 1-0 up with not even 5 minutes to go. 

In a Derby style fashion Sunderland equalized within a few minutes, Danny Higginbottom scored with a looping header, as I stood there the goal seemed to happen in slow motion but with not even 10 minutes to go it was 1-1. 

I have to admit it, and I’m sorry to the guy, but I wasn’t confident in the slightest with Brad Jones in goal - I back players to the hilt in my columns but I find no words of encouragement when Jones is between the sticks I am not criticising the player at all just merely expressing how I feel.

Michael Chopra made it 2-1. I was left light as a feather and wanted to be swallowed whole but had to sit down and try and block the sound of 40,000+ Mackems screaming their eyeballs out as they lead 2-1. 

Half time arrived and we were 2-1 down.  There were no half time refreshments, as I couldn’t be chewed with it as I nearly had a panic attack the first time round so I didn’t risk it. 

Second half came around and I was left wondering?  We needed pace and width so why oh why didn’t Johnson come on for Catts?  Whitehead got booked in the first half now with someone like Johnson running at a yellow carded captain?

At last we equalized through Afonso, I am quite pleased about this as 3,000 fans were screaming and shouting I didn’t as I thought it was offside but I changed my attitude almost  instantly I.E went mental. 

The third goal seemed strange from the Mackems as it seemed inevitable, and the header went in, and the Boro fans, well I feared for my safety big time but I’m still dumb-founded that I came away from that day unscathed.

One of the worst days of my life. 

Mark Anderson