Sunderland's final home hurrah had threatened to fall flat. A crowd of just under 45,000 - the highest of the season at the Stadium of Light, and in the Championship overall - had turned out to roar their team to a victory that would have sent them into the top six ahead of their last-day trip to Preston.
And yet a Watford team with nothing left to play for, that arrived on Wearside having won just one of its last seven games, that had failed in its mission to make an immediate return to the Premier League, and that had been branded 'physically and mentally weak' by its head coach - the third man in the role this season - found itself 2-0 up against the Black Cats with 20 minutes remaining. It seemed Sunderland's injuries had at last caught up with them.
With no specialist centre-backs available due to injury, Watford had capitalised from their only two corners of the match with Christian Kabasele heading them in front inside 20 minutes and Ryan Porteous doubling their lead just after the midway point in the second period. And Sunderland's lack of a centre-forward meant there had been no end product despite enjoying 70 percent possession.
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But, just a minute after they fallen two goals down, former Watford man Luke O'Nien gave them hope when he poked home from close range seconds after he had hit the crossbar following a corner. Then, in the 90th minute, Sunderland's pressure paid off as Patrick Roberts scored with a brilliant left-foot strike which left the goakeeper rooted as it found the top left-hand corner.
Cue pandemonium in the stands and an injury in the dugout as Tony Mowbray managed to pull his hamstring while celebrating. And if Amad had managed to find a winner in the last few seconds when he had a glimpse of goal, the stadium would have shook on its very foundations and Mowbray might have done himself lasting damage.
There was to be no late winner, but the drama of the comeback - and the quality of the equaliser - made this feel like a victory. Regardless of the result against the Hornets, Sunderland knew that their play-off fate would not be settled until the final day of the season.
A win against Watford would have put them within touching distance of sealing a top six spot, but the draw leaves them needing to win at Preston and hope at least one other result goes their way. Their simplest path to the play-offs would be for Middlesbrough to beat Coventry City on the last day.
If not, it will be all eyes on Blackburn's game at Millwall which pits two of their play-off rivals against each other. West Brom could have a say in things, but if Sunderland do beat Preston then their superior goal difference should ensure they finish above the Baggies.
All that is for another day, however. And nothing will mean anything unless Sunderland beat Preston, with their opponents one of three sides - the others being Swansea and Norwich - to see their own play-off hopes ended yesterday.
"I believe we will go to Preston next week and win, and it will depend on the rest of the results," said Mowbray. Buckle up. It could be quite a ride.
READ NEXT
- Chris Wilder brands Watford 'sloppy' after they blew a two-goal lead at Sunderland
- Tony Mowbray says Sunderland's task is now clear with their play-off hopes resting on the final day
- Sunderland player ratings as Amad and Luke O'Nien stand out in thrilling fightback against Watford
- Sunderland fight back from 2-0 down to earn a point that could be crucial in play-off race
- Tony Mowbray losing no sleep over his Sunderland contract as he prepares to enter final year
