Stoke City's Marko Arnautovic, left, and Sunderland's Jan Kirchoff struggle together during the English Premier League soccer match at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England, Saturday April 30, 2016. (Mike Egerton / PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press
STOKE, England (AP) - A last-minute penalty by Jermaine Defoe rescued a valuable point for Sunderland in its 1-1 draw at midtable Stoke in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Sunderland is in 18th place, one point behind Newcastle but with a game in hand.
Stoke took the lead through Marko Arnautovic after Peter Crouch's knockdown on 50 minutes.
Sunderland's equalizer came in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Defoe converting a penalty after he was fouled by Geoff Cameron.
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce said: "It is a very precious point and in the end the referee was brave and good enough to make the right decision for us."
With just three games of its season to go, Sunderland could need wins rather than draws as it fights with Newcastle and Norwich to stay in the league.
Stoke City's Peter Crouch, left, and Sunderland's Lamine Kone during the English Premier League soccer match at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England, Saturday April 30, 2016. (Mike Egerton / PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League soccer match against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England, Saturday April 30, 2016. (Mike Egerton / PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press
Sunderland's Lee Cattermole, left, in action with Stoke City's Glenn Whelan, during the English Premier League soccer match at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England, Saturday April 30, 2016. (Mike Egerton / PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press