The Black Cats can only hope the two points lost on Friday night won’t prove costly come May.

One point would have been celebrated until the bonkers finale, with Wilson Isidor missing not one but two penalties in the dying minutes, twice denied by James Trafford.

For Burnley, there will have been a sense of justice after the first missed spot-kick, for CJ Egan-Riley’s foul on the striker was just outside the box. But Sunderland were frustrated that Trafford wasn’t penalised for his antics when he took off his gloves and delayed – and then saved – Isidor’s effort.

And that frustration deepened when Trafford, a long-time transfer target for Sunderland’s arch-rivals Newcastle, saved a second Isidor penalty deep in stoppage time when Dennis Cirkin had been fouled.

Distraught Isidor was consoled by staff as he made his way off the pitch at full-time, while Dan Neil urged the away end to support the striker, which they did.

Against a Burnley side that are now unbeaten in 14 games and haven’t yet lost at home this season, a draw, before the game, would have been seen as a success. But it was the Clarets celebrating at full-time.

When the dust settles, Sunderland will take confidence from the fact they again showed that they have the class and steel to trade punches in the automatic promotion race.

Regis Le Bris’ side have now played five games against the three teams above them so far this season and lost only once, and that was at Sheffield United, when, for long stages, they were hugely impressive and desperately unfortunate to leave Bramall Lane empty hande.