It's six without a win against Joey Barton's Fleetwood for Sunderland after another disappointing draw which further piles the pressure on Phil Parkinson.
A second half Charlie Wyke header was cancelled out by an effort from Everton loanee Callum Connolly in a disappointing contest between two promotion rivals.
Story of the game
Sunderland had the first key chance of the game after eight minutes. Denver Hume exchanging a one-two with Wyke down the left hand side but he could only hit his effort straight at Jayson Leutwiler.
Danny Graham and Josh Scowen both went close but Fleetwood defenders were able to get their bodies in front of the ball.
The game warmed up after the half hour with Fleetwood going close in the thirty sixth minute. Charlie Mulgrew's deflected free kick going just wide of the post.
Sunderland then had a penalty claim, Josh Scowen bursting into the box and going down under pressure but referee Bobby Madley was having none of it.
Going into the half it had been a lot of sideways and backwards passing from both sides with chances at a premium.
Into the second half and it was Fleetwood with the first big chance of the half after only two minutes. Callum Camps, impressive as always hit the cross bar with a volley from 30 yards, the ball ricochet out to Paddy Madden but Remi Mathews made a fine point blank save to deny his header from what would have been a certain goal.
Sunderland responded with a great chance of their own. Conor McLaughlin putting in an excellent cross which Wyke could only head back across goal and narrowly wide.
He did his goal moments later. With fifty nine on the clock Tom Flanagans long ball over the top was heading straight towards the Fleetwood goal but Charlie Wyke was able to beat a hesitant Leutwiler to the ball to head Sunderland into the lead.
They managed to hold onto their lead for just over ten minutes. More shocking defending from a corner created a scramble in the Sunderland box and Fleetwood defender Callum Connolly was able to slot beyond Mathews to restore parity for the hosts.
Sunderland came again though and went close. Substitute Will Grigg meeting Josh Scowens cross but could only head over.
That was all she wrote as the game became dominated by needless fouls which stopped any real passage of play from developing.
Takeaways
Barton's vision is finally paying off
As an opposition player or fan, you know this Fleetwood side will be up for a battle and provide plenty of energy. At the moment they are finding the net regularly and could be a dark horse in the League 1 promotion race.
Decision time must be looming
For Sunderland it's five without a win and the pressure on Phil Parkinson ramps up even further. The board really need to make a decision soon because Sunderland are on a downward trajectory and if Stewart Donald wants to sell he needs to think in the best interest of the club instead of licking personal wounds.
Man of the match: Callum Camps
A solid performance by Fleetwood's number ten. All their best play went through him and he was very unlucky at the start of the second half. If Championship sides are in need of a solid midfielder in January they could do a lot worse than the Northern Irishman.