NOT for the first time in Sunderland’s proud and storied history, it was no exaggeration to refer to their following as a travelling army.

But the seven thousand or so who descended upon Ewood Park, including Real Madrid galactico and Jobe Bellingham’s brother Jude, suffered an agonising afternoon as a late strike from Blackburn Rovers substitute Harry Leonard snatched what would have been a pivotal victory in the race for promotion from their grasp.

A much improved second-half performance, embellished by goals from Chris Rigg and leading scorer Wilson Isidor appeared to have moved Regis Le Bris’ men clear of their fifth placed opponents following Yuki Ohashi’s opener. Sunderland remain firmly in the automatic promotion conversation, having extended their unbeaten run to five matches. But the timing of Leonard’s equaliser served as a reminder that, despite the conviction Sunderland displayed to claw themselves in front, lapses in concentration are nearly always punished in the Championship - Eliezer Mayenda guilty of spurning a gilt-edged opportunity in added time after Leonard had pounced.

With his team entering the fixture unbeaten in their last four outings, Le Bris sensibly resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes for the trip to Lancashire - Dan Ballard having already been ruled-out of the festive programme by a muscle issue.

His counterpart, John Eustace, adopted a different approach with four of those who started the defeat by Millwall failing to make Rovers’ starting eleven although two of those tweaks were enforced. Perhaps smarting from that set-back, Rovers looked intent on going about their business with real tenacity and bite. Indeed, had Ohashi not applied too much power to the pass he intended to reach Tyrhys Dolan then the winger would have found himself with a clear route through towards Anthony Patterson.

Dolan was presented with a fine chance soon after, as Sunderland’s rearguard scrambled to try and snuff-out a dangerous counter-attack. He wastefully blazed over but the warning was not heeded. Moments later, after 13 minutes of one-sided action, Ohashi took full advantage of some hesitant defending to score for the sixth time this term and fire Rovers ahead. Dolan was again the instigator, with his shot after a driving run only being half cleared which gifted him the opportunity to find the Japan international.

Watching on from the touchline, Le Bris will have been encouraged by Sunderland’s response. Not delighted, as Aynsley Pears remained relatively untroubled between the posts for Rovers. But certainly pleased, given that his players stuck assiduously to the game plan rather than panic and fold.

As the afternoon progressed, Sunderland began to edge themselves into the contest. Yet, an air of vulnerability continued to hand over their back four. Only an offside flag denied Dolan from stretching Rovers’ advantage following a scramble in front of Patterson.

Dennis Cirkin should have levelled when he met a corner, won by Eliezer Mayenda, at the far post but chested wide.

Disrupting Rovers’ rhythm and movement was Sunderland’s primary objective during the interval, with Todd Cantwell and Dolan always able to find pockets of space before the break. A much more aggressive press paid almost instant dividends with first Rigg and then Isidor pouncing in quick succession.

Rigg’s precise right footed shot from the centre of the box left Pears grasping at thin air as the previously composed Rovers began to wobble. Then, with utter bedlam still unfolding in the away end, Patrick Roberts weaved his way into position on the byline before delivering a low centre into the area which Isidor backheeled home. Even by attempting such a finish, the Frenchman confirmed he is a player oozing ability and confidence.

Rovers, as you would expect of a side pushing for top-flight football themselves, continued to have their moments and, on the cusp of full-time, Leonard bundled past Patterson soon after being introduced before Mayenda’s shot was smothered having found himself clean through on Pears.