Their Teesside rivals will no doubt feel somewhat aggrieved to have had to make the journey back down the A19 empty-handed.
Middlesbrough had after all looked the most likely to score in an opening half of a game which never really got going till the latter stages.
It was to be a case of ruing the ones that got away for Gareth Southgate's men, who should have been in front as early as the 18th minute.
Boro winger Stewart Downing cut inside to fire a powerful shot at goal but Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon was equal to the test and pulled off a good save.
Three minutes later the hosts had a good opportunity of their own. Kieran Richardson sent in a deep cross from wide on the left and Pascal Chimbonda rose at the back post.
Unfortunately the French man couldn't get any real purchase on his header and the ball drifted harmlessly wide.
After that Middlesbrough seemed to be in the driving seat, but £12.7million man Afonso Alves had obviously left his shooting boots back on Teesside.
The striker managed to get in behind the home defence on several occasions but each time his shot was straight at Gordon.
With the break looming lady luck smiled on Roy Keane as he was forced to shuffle his pack.
The Sunderland boss brought on Michael Chopra for the injured Teemu Tainio and went with a more attacking 4-4-2 formation.
At the time Keane couldn't have known just how fortunate the injury to the Finland international would prove, but there was no doubt that Irish eyes were smiling as Chopra proved to be Sunderland's super sub.
In the second half the game continued to ebb and flow, but as time went on the hosts started to get more of a grip on proceedings.
That was until referee Howard Webb intervened on 74 minutes. The man in the middle gave what looked a very harsh penalty decision against Nyron Nosworthy as Jeremie Aliadiere went down in the area.
Downing stepped up to the spot and had the winger converted the spoils could well have been Riverside bound.
Instead he blazed his kick over the bar and Middlesbrough literally paid the penalty.
Seven minutes later the Black Cats were in front. George McCartney fed the ball into Andy Reid and he flicked the ball to Chopra. The striker played a one-two with Richardson before firing past Ross Turnbull to put the home side 1-0 up.
After that Middlesbrough had to do all the chasing and went on the attack, however Sunderland defended resolutely.
With the game now wide open, gaps began to appear and Chopra stepped up to add the killer touch.
With the game in time added-on Daryl Murphy shot fell to Steed Malbranque and as appeals for offside were waived away, the Frenchman unselfishly slid the ball into the path of Chopra.
He was more than happy to accept the gift and netted his and Sunderland's second to seal a very happy return to action.