Sub Borini cancelled out a stunning second half late revival from Palace and stretched the visitors' winless run in the league to 11 games
Connor Wickham’s goals kept Sunderland in the Premier League a couple of seasons ago.
But he returned to haunt his former side and severely dent their bid to avoid relegation this time round.
The former £8million buy popped up with two goals for Crystal Palace to deny Sunderland a win.
Sam Allardyce’s men needed a last gasp leveller from Fabio Borini to earn a vital point.
That goal lifted Sunderland out of the bottom three for the first time since November.
Sub Borini cancelled out a stunning second half late revival from Palace and stretched the visitors' winless run in the league to 11 games.
In pictures - Sunderland 2-2 Crystal Palace:
Borini blasted in from a tight angle on the right as Palace defenders fell asleep with the game seemingly won and heading into injury time.
But it was Sunderland old boy Wickham who earned Palace a point. First he grabbed an unlikely leveller after 61 minutes.
He swivelled well in the box and crisp shot that took a nick off DeAndre Yedlin and pinged home off the post.
There had been good work from Wilfried Zaha breaking down the left and Yannick Bolasie with the final ball.
The burly front man then added a second within six minutes.
Wickham netted five in three games to keep Sunderland up during a miracle escape in April 2014, but his goals here could help relegate his former club.
Sunderland have not kept a clean sheet since late November, and 14 games.
Scott Dann’s nightmare season against Sunderland had a second instalment – when he deflected in Dame N’Doye’s shot after 36 minutes.
In the game at Palace, Dann and keeper Wayne Hennessey had a calamitous mix up which allowed Jermain Defoe to score the late winner.
This time Dann poked out his leg to redirect N’Doye’s shot into the centre of the goal, with Hennessey already diving to his left.
It was terrible bad luck for Palace.
Sunderland had just started asserting themselves and finding a threat before the goal on 36 minutes.
Defoe dribbled across the goal and teed up Dame N’Doye who becomes the latest January signing by Allardyce to make a vital contribution.
Palace were fifth 11 games ago and failed by a couple of minutes to end a winless run dating back to December 19.
Pardew’s men started brightly and Wilfried Zaha had a turn of pace and shot.
Fit-again Yannick Bolassie, who got a hat-trick here last time, then turned it on turning the defence inside out, again and again on one jinky run and shot.
Wickham stepped up to the plate in the second half but was matched by Borini’s late heroics.
Player ratings
Sunderland
Mannone 4 - Had a shaky night, especially weak on high crosses
Yedlin 5 - Liked an overlap but was exposed at times by Bolasie
O’Shea 6 - Limped off early on with a bang on his foot after good tackle on Zaha
Kone 6 - Has been a decent January signing
Van Aanholt 5 - Has to tighten up his defending and do simple things well
Kirchhoff 6 - Continued his decent run as holding midfielder
N’Doye 6 - Deflected long-range goal was moment of first half
Rodwell 6 - Recalled to the side for Cattermole and was spiky throughout
M’Vila 5 - Ever-present and playing big role this season
Khazri 5 - Took up some good positions in front of defence
Defoe 6 - Lone striker - but was still a pest and set up the opener
Subs: Kaboul (O'Shea 28) 6; Cattermole (Kirchoff 66) 6; Borini (Cattermole 80)
Crystal Palace
Hennessey 6 - Bamboozled by a cruel deflection for the opening goal
Ward 6 - Had his hands full with Khazri
Delaney 7 - Had an interesting battle with Defoe
Dann 6 - Header almost opened the scoring, before a needless foul for yellow card
Kelly 6 - Steady evening and some searching long balls
Jedinak 7 - Won vital header at back post for Wickham’s second
Cabaye 7 - Newcastle legend eventually got Palace motoring
Zaha 7 - Some wonderful dribbling lit up the match
Mutch 7 - Went close to scoring the decider with a shot on the overlap
Bolasie 7 - Back from injury and looked sharp
Wickham 9 MOTM - Enjoyed dream return to the Stadium of Light with two goals
Subs: Ledley (Cabaye 67) 5; Sako (Bolasie 77); Adebayor (Wickham 84)
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