Sunderland were denied a winning start to the 2016/17 Premier League Cup by a last-gasp equaliser from Cardiff City's Jamie Bird.
Cardiff started the Group B fixture strongly at Cardiff City Stadium with Rhys Abruzzese, Macauley Southam and Mark Harris all going close.
Sunderland resisted and took the lead on 76 minutes through Rees Greenwood.
But Cardiff's efforts were rewarded with Bird's volley in the dying stages.
REPORT | An excellent showing from the young #Bluebirds secures a home draw with @SunderlandAFC >> https://t.co/1OQqc9gWFP #CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/kzTDUO8YNK
— Cardiff City DVP (@CardiffCityDVP) September 30, 2016
REACTION: Welsh delivers his post-match verdict following #SAFC U23s' draw at @CardiffCityFC https://t.co/nWYZNY77ut pic.twitter.com/7JxDY4H7Ii
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 30, 2016
In the other group B tie, Blackburn Rovers won their Lancashire derby, beating Burnley 2-0, with goals from Joe Rankin-Costello and Lewis Mansell.
Rovers kicked off their Premier League Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Burnley at Ewood Park.https://t.co/HJxHtBiOiM pic.twitter.com/XzFfDTb2y4
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) September 30, 2016
See: Burnley report