An even first half on Wearside produced two goals, as Will Cain gave Sunderland the advantage as his finessed shot beat City keeper George Murray-Jones.
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However, Ben Wilkinson’s youngsters responded well as Lawrence calmly converted a shot into the bottom corner to draw us level before half-time.
After patient build-up play, Lawrence cut inside on the left, but his shot travelled straight at the goalkeeper before rebound efforts from Nico O’Reilly and Farid Alfa-Ruprecht were also denied.
The Black Cats looked threatening on the counter-attack, as Mason Cotcher raced through past Isaac Smith, and his curled round the post to the relief of George Murray-Jones.
This gave Sunderland belief, as Murray-Jones was called into some heroic goalkeeping, producing a stunning double save from Cotcher to keep it level.
City responded soon after, as O’Reilly lead a counter-attack after winning possession, before sliding a ball through to Lawrence in the box, who placed the ball into the bottom corner to see us go into the break level.
Another Sunderland break nearly caught us out, as a cross was played into Will Dowling his fired shot was blocked by Murray-Jones and Smith.
