The Black Cats were fortunate to be gifted a 93rd minute own goal from Bolton defender Zat Knight, who failed to clear a shot from Sulley Muntari.

The late drama was only six minutes before Ivan Klasnic had scored an 87th minute equalizer for the hosts to cancel out Boudewijn Zenden’s first-half strike.

Egypt wing-back Elmohamady played the whole match for the injury-hit Sunderland, who became one point away from the top half of the English Premier League table.

With two games to go, Steve Bruce’s side lie 11th on 44 points, while Bolton remained eighth on 46.