The gaffer was looking for a reaction following last week’s defeat and got that in the first half as Carlton Morris scored his eighth goal of the season to put Town in front.

Sunderland fought back in the second period, however, as substitute Elliot Embleton equalised as the points were shared in an entertaining fixture at Kenilworth Road.

“It was a hard-fought game, every game in the Championship is tough and this is Sunderland Football Club. They have 40,000 fans every week, they’re a big club and a really tricky side to play against because of the individuals they have and they play that way. We had to make sure we bounced back and didn’t go back-to-back defeats after last week.

“Today we were disappointed we weren’t further ahead at half-time. We had to weather a bit in the second half and then we finished really strongly and were probably the more likely to score the goal.

“I’m really proud of the players for everything they gave me. Yes, we would have probably had a bit more quality and a bit more guile but all in all they were excellent. They gave me everything.”

Henri Lansbury was forced off in the opening half-hour and on his injury, Jones said: “Henri hasn’t had a proper pre-season, so he is susceptible when we play him, we have to look after him in certain games so it’s a tough one to take.

“That is what we demand from them all the time, to look after themselves. Henri is a miss when he’s not there, he gives us that control, he gives us that element of quality in there, so we’re disappointed with that.”

On Carlton Morris, who has now surpassed his best goal tally in the Sky Bet Championship, the gaffer said: "He has been excellent for us. That is eight goals so he has already surpassed his best Championship season and we're 17 games in so it's wonderful from him. I'm really happy for him, he's a great kid, he works hard, he's humble, he demands from people and I like that."