Right, we got back into the game, maybe should have found the strength to win but cannot seriously complain about the result.
And the prize of a home draw against Arsenal is as much as any club should need to raise their game and get through a replay against a team from a division below.
But it’s a derby, it’s the cup and anything can happen.
There’s been plenty of coverage already of Sunderland 1 Boro 1:
* Martin O’Neill’s Musings: brilliant McClean, cool Campbell
More is to come. Plus the Norwich City – Wednesday night’s return to Premier action – “Who are You?”.
All from now until Thursday-ish is in the capable hands of Monsieur Salut’s stand-in editor, Joan Dawson. I am off to Pars to see Sunderland the play. Expect to hear back.