The match pitted together the first and second placed sides in the Premier League Under-18 North table and more than lived up to its billing with a host of chances carved out at either end.
Will Cain gave Sunderland a 31st minute lead before Emilio Lawrence struck to level affairs just before the break.
“Overall I think a draw was probably a fair result. It was a tough game, very competitive and we are reasonably satisfied with that,” Wilkinson reflected.
“I felt the lads showed a real hunger and appetite for the game and they fought and competed really well.
“I also thought our keeper George Murray-Jones was great today. At places like this you need your keeper to stand up and I thought his decision making was excellent.”
Play the video to watch the head coach’s reaction in full…
