With a full compliment of League One fixtures to be played, there were some key games as the table starts to take shape. But who continued their impressive form, and who has been left scrapping at the bottom of the third tier? Scroll down and click through the pages to see how Sunderland’s rivals fared on a dramatic evening in League One:
5. Portsmouth 2-2 Burton Albion
There was no shortage of drama at Fratton Park, where Joe Sbarra and Kieran Wallace’s early strikes saw Burton race into a two-goal lead. They were then reduced to ten men as John-Joe O’Toole saw red, with Ronan Curtis subsequently reducing the advantage. Pompey pushed, but it took until the final minute of injury time - and a Brett Pitman penalty - to draw them level. Photo: Dan Istitene
6. Rochdale 1-1 Lincoln City
After taking the lead through Stephen Dooley, Rochdale looked set to pick up a well-deserved win at Spotland. That was until four minutes from time, when Tyler Walker sealed a late point for the Imps. Photo: Charlotte Tattersall
7. Shrewsbury Town 4-3 Southend United
Shrewsbury picked up a fine win on home soil - with goals from Omar Beckles, Jason Cummings, Oliver Norburn and Callum Lang enough to seal victory. Stephen McLaughlin, Stephen Humphrys and Simon Cox netted for the visitors in a dramatic encounter. Photo: Gareth Copley
8. Sunderland 1-1 Rotherham
After a morale-boosting win over Accrington on Saturday, Sunderland began their clash with promotion rivals Rotherham in ideal fashion - Marc McNulty netting after just 33 seconds. AIden McGeady later missed a penalty, which the Black Cats were left to rue when Jake Hastie levelled after the break. Photo: Clive Brunskill