The striker had only returned to action last week after six months out injured but made up for lost time by scoring within 60 seconds of being ushered on late in the second half.
City had earlier taken a first half lead through Mahamadou Susoho only for the Black Cats to hit back through Caden Kely and Harrison Jones to take a half time lead.
But thanks to Sodje’s sudden impact, Brian Barry-Murphy’s youngsters secured a point which was the least our efforts merited.
What happened
City stepped out at the Joie Stadium for a second successive Monday night assignment seeking to build on last week’s fine 2-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest.
Sunderland though had made a decent fist of things so far this season in PL2 and proved their own mettle in what was a high octane, high intensity start from both sides.
City carved out two fine chances in the opening few minutes with skipper Micah Hamilton firing over from close range and then being denied by Sunderland keeper Kelechi Chibueze.
At the other end, City keeper True Grant had to be alert to race out of his area and make a superb double save to deny first Harrison Jones and then Caden Kelly.
Grant then made an even better block on nine minutes to keep out Oliver Bainbridge after space had opened up on the left side of the City box.
But it was City who made the breakthrough on 20 minutes through Mahamadou Susoho with a goal conjured up the old-fashioned way.
True Grant split the Black Cats defence with a long kick forward and Susoho showed great composure and awareness to choose his moment before chipping over the onrushing keeper and into the unguarded net.
The visitors were still a threat though and dangerman Kelly tried his luck with a dipping shot that just cleared the bar on the half hour.
And on 40 minutes Kelly’s threat manifested itself as he levelled affairs with a quite superb strike from 25 yards out that gave Grant no chance.
The City youngsters were then hit by another body blow in the second minute of first half injury time.
A 25 yard free-kick was whipped into the box by danger man Kelly and skipper Harrison Jones guided a header past Grant to fire the Black Cats ahead.
City sought to up the ante after the break but with the visitors packing men behind the ball, space and time was at a premium.
Barry-Murphy opted to bring on Joel Ndala and Emilio Lawrence as we looked to wrest back control.
But City needed more heroics from Grant and Simpson-Pusey who combined to prevent Tom Chiabi adding a third Sunderland goal on 66 minutes.
Nico O’Reilly almost found a way through two minutes later after being put through by Josh Adam only to run out of road after rounding the Black Cats’ keeper.
City made another switch with Tai Sodje coming on from the bench on 73 minutes – and within 60 seconds the striker made an instant impact drawing us level with his first touches.
He latched onto a poor throw in before expertly drilling home a leveller into the far corner of the net.
City pushed on in search of a winner with Ndala sending a shot whistling just past the target with Hamilton and Lawrence also going agonisingly close.
In the end though both sides were forced to settle for a point.
How we lined up
True Grant was in goal and shielded by a back four of Matty Henderson-Hall, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Kane Taylor and Tom Galvez.
Mahamadou Susoho was the holding midfielder with Nico O’Reilly and Kian Breckin also in the engine room.
Josh Adam, Alexis Tibidi and skipper Micah Hamilton made up the attacking trident.
CITY XI: Grant, Henderson-Hall, Simpson-Pusey, Taylor, Galvez (Smith 81), Susoho, Tibidi (Ndala 66), Breckin (Lawrence 66), Adam (Sodje 73), O’Reilly, Hamilton (c).
Subs: Murray-Jones
SUNDERLAND: Chibueze, Lavery, Fieldson, Bell, Bainbridge, Chiabi, H Jones (c), Middlemas, Tutierov, Kelly, Ogunsuyi
Subs: Cameron, J Jones, Whittaker, Walsh, Ryder
What it means
The City youngsters are in 24th place in the PL2 table with 12 points.
What’s next
City’s Under-21s are back in PL2 action this Sunday, March 17, when we make the short journey over to Merseyside to take on Liverpool.
Kick-off at the Liverpool Academy is scheduled for 13.00pm (UK).
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