If Sam Allardyce has been mulling over what might have been in recent times, little that transpired at the Stadium of Light yesterday will have doused those feelings. Against a club he believes he should be managing — humility not being one of his dominant character traits — Allardyce’s Blackburn Rovers spurned a glorious opportunity to win their first away league match since September.

Blackburn remain unbeaten under their new manager, who was never under serious consideration by Sunderland, in spite of his status as the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Roy Keane, but this was a victory that slipped through their fingers. With the game deep into its final throes, Jason Roberts directed an easy chance wide of the right post, a blunder that leaves them three points shy of safety.

As Roberts raced to meet a long pass from Morten Gamst Pedersen, Marton Fulop, the Sunderland goalkeeper, attempted to intercept the ball and missed, leaving the Grenada international faced with an open net. From a distance of about 18 yards, he missed. “It was a golden chance,” Allardyce said. “I was convinced it was in — I was up and dancing — but the ball took a bobble and hit Jason on the shin.”

In the context of Blackburn’s season — they had lost their past six games under Paul Ince — a draw was valuable, although it should have been more.

“Four points out of six and another clean sheet is the basis of good things to get us out of the position we’re in,” Allardyce said. “We’re in a massive relegation fight and three points would have been huge, but we’ve got something to build on.”

Blackburn had been introspective for most of the first half — Paul Robinson had repelled a well-placed Djibril Cissé, while Steed Malbranque and Phil Bardsley pulled shots wide for Sunderland — but their approach became more expansive as the afternoon went on, the catalyst arriving in the 48th minute when Christopher Samba was cautioned for handling the ball beyond Fulop.

Sunderland passed the ball adroitly enough through Malbranque, Andy Reid and Kieran Richardson, but the threat of Cissé and Kenwyne Jones had merely been theoretical and Rovers could suddenly sense possibilities. When Danny Collins fouled Brett Emerton 19 yards from goal, it took the combined powers of Fulop and the woodwork to deny Pedersen.

Fulop has not always emanated security and serenity during Craig Gordon’s frequent absences, but the goalkeeper has emerged as an increasingly pivotal figure under Ricky Sbragia’s charge. The Hungary international excelled himself when he broke from the line to narrow the angle for Keith Andrews, who was speeding into the penalty area to collect possession.

Sunderland, although far from persuasive, were briefly galvanised, with a volley from Cissé dipping narrowly over the crossbar, yet the overall theme was scratchy. Seven points from four games during Sbragia’s interregnum has brought stability to Wearside and provided Niall Quinn, the chairman, with breathing space, as well as the Scot’s credentials to consider, as he continues his search for Keane’s replacement.

“The board does not intend to rush into making any hasty decisions,” Quinn said. “It is a massive appointment for the club and it’s important we carefully consider all our options.

“The results so far have bought us valuable time. As of this point, the board have not interviewed any candidates, although I can assure you our phones are hot from agents around the world pushing their clients.”

Keane emphasised repeatedly the importance of transforming defeats into draws, although usually to little avail. “The players are much more resilient now,” Sbragia said. “They’re very supportive of each other and they’ve gelled extremely well. A while ago we would have lost that game. Overall, we deserved a draw.”

This may have been forgettable, but Sbragia is deserving of plaudits.

Sunderland 4-4-2: M Fulop 7 P Bardsley 6 A Ferdinand 6 N Nosworthy 6 D Collins 6 S Malbranque 7 T Tainio 5 K Richardson 6 A Reid 6 D Cissé 5 K Jones 5 Substitutes D Whitehead 5 (for Tainio, 62min), D Murphy (for Cissé, 81), G Leadbitter (fo Richardson, 81). Not used N Colgan, C Edwards, E-H Diouf, P Chimbonda.

Blackburn Rovers 4-4-2: P Robinson 7 A Ooijer6 C Samba 7 R Nelsen 7 S Warnock 7 B Emerton 6 K Andrews 6 D Dunn 6 M G Pedersen 7 B McCarthy 6 J Roberts 5 Substitutes Tugay Kerimoglu 6 (for Dunn, 62min), M Derbyshire (for McCarthy, 88), A Mokoena (for Nelson, 90). Not used J Brown, Z Khizanishvili,K Treacy, M Olsson.

Att: 44,680
Referee: M Atkinson

Star man: Marton Fulop
Until he was left stranded by Jason Roberts in the final seconds, the Sunderland goalkeeper had enjoyed an unblemished afternoon, routinely frustrating Blackburn with his alertness.

Window watch
Sunderland need either more pegs in the dressing-room or some judicious downsizing of a bloated squad. The exception is defence where Ricky Sbragia would have few options if injury was to strike — the loss of Anton Ferdinand would be unbearable — and the first-team coach has spoken about signing a centre-half on loan. For Blackburn, finances will be tight and the priority for Sam Allardyce will be to ensure what talent he has at his disposal is not picked off by predatory clubs.