Alan Pardew has declared himself "quite pleased" with Crystal Palace's 2-2 draw at Sunderland, despite seeing three points slip away in the dying stages.
The Eagles battled back from a goal down at the Stadium of Light through Connor Wickham's six-minute double against his former club, only for Fabio Borini to pop up in the final minute of normal time.
Palace, now winless in their last 11 top-flight outings, improved in the second half after going into the break a goal down to Dame N'Doye's deflected long-range drive.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Pardew admitted to having mixed feelings following a topsy-turvy evening for his side.
"Overall it was a game we deserved to win, but a draw isn't a bad result," he said. "We weren't great in the first half, but we were terrific in the second half.
"It's very important not to lose. Sam [Allardyce] won't admit it, but I think we deserved to win. When I wake up in the morning, on reflection after the run we've been on, I think I'll be quite pleased."
Palace remain in 14th place after the late setback, ahead of a home meeting against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Daniel Lewis
