Anthony Patterson says the clock beat Sunderland at Rotherham and they must respond against Preston

Sunderland drew at basement side Rotherham United and now face Preston North End on Wearside on New Year's Day

Sunderland 'ran out of time' at Rotherham United when the Black Cats were pushing for a winner, according to man of the match Anthony Patterson. The Black Cats drew 1-1 against the Championship's basement side at the New York Stadium, with Michael Beale's side turning in a sub-standard performance for much of the game.

They trailed to Sam Clucas' stunning volley just after half-time and only in the final 25 minutes did the visitors begin to offer a genuine threat, with top scorer Jack Clarke notching his 12th goal of the season - albeit with the aid of a wicked deflection off Rotherham midfielder Jamie Lindsay - to earn a point and spare their blushes. Sunderland finished the game strongly and had opportunities to win it but ultimately they could not complete the turnaround.

"You saw the reaction in the second half," said Patterson. "We took control of the game a lot more, albeit they scored early on.

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"I think you saw us take control and started to break them down a little bit more. Thankfully we got an equaliser late on.

"We just ran out of time in the end because we were really making Rotherham defend. We were really unfortunate that we ran out of time in the end."

Sunderland were only in a position to claim a point due to a series of saves from Patterson in the first half which kept his side in the game. He said: "We knew what their strengths were and they were playing on set-plays.

"That's what they work on and I was thankfully there to stop them scoring in the first half."

While the draw - and performance - at Rotherham was a major disappointment, the Black Cats have picked up four points from back-to-back away games after winning at play-off rivals Hull City on Boxing Day. Sunderland replaced Hull in the top six after winning at the MKM Stadium but they switched places again on Friday night.

Sunderland will go back above the Tigers if they beat out-of-form Preston North End at the Stadium of Light in the early kick-off tomorrow, but Hull would then have a chance to reclaim sixth spot if they win at Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow tea-time. Patterson said of the Hull and Rotherham games: "Obviously two away games and two difficult games in different ways.

"I think to take four points from the two games is good going and we just need to back that up on New Year's Day. The games come around thick and fast.

"You can pick up points really quickly, or drop points really quickly that affects the table position quite a lot. We're happy with four points but we must follow it up on Monday [against Preston]."

Sunderland take on Newcastle United in the Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light next Saturday in the FA Cup third round but Patterson insists the players cannot look ahead to that game until after their clash with Preston. He said: "Of course not. We have to beat Preston on Monday first then we can switch our focus onto the other game."