Rotherham defender Michael Ihiekwe opened the scoring when he headed home a corner in the first half, while Sunderland struggled to create chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Alex Neil made some attacking substitutions in the second half, with Alex Pritchard, Jack Clarke and Elliot Embleton entering the fray.
Yet it took until the 88th minute for the hosts to draw level when Ihiekwe headed Clarke’s cross into his own net.
Our chief SAFC writer Phil Smith has delivered his verdict on how each Black Cats player fared at the Stadium of Light:
9. Adil Aouchiche - 4
Lead the line but didn’t make much of an impact on the game and was withdrawn at the break. Playing up front didn’t suit him at all, with no one to bounce off or look for when he received possession. Didn’t work, but hard to pin a huge amount of the blame on him. 4 Photo: Frank Reid
10. Jack Clarke - 6
Couldn’t get into the game through the first half but did threaten late on. Yet again saved his side with a goal, though it did go on via a wicked deflection. 6 Photo: Frank Reid
11. Jobe Bellingham - 5
Played off Aouchiche and neither were really able to get into the game. Drove into some dangerous areas with the ball late on. 5 Photo: Frank Reid
12. Abdoullah Ba (sub) - 5
Played off Aouchiche and neither were really able to get into the game. Drove into some dangerous areas with the ball late on. 5 Photo: Frank Reid