Burley changed it around after playing on Saturday with changes in defence and midfield.
Powell's knee injury kept him out with Chris Baird returning to central defence. Alexander Ostlund came in for Chris Makin on the right, with Claus Lundekvam not even making the bench. Bialkowski was preferred to the available again Davis having forced himself into the starting line-up during Davis' suspension.
Despite the changes Saints generally defended well, bar the odd trademark lapse in concentration that allowed Yorke a free header and Elliot a run on goal, well kept out by Bialkowski.
In midfield, Burley made puzzling choices on the left and the right leaving out Surman and Skacel, selecting Dyer and Belmadi who looked lightweight and short of match fitness against a hard working and well organised Sunderland side.
Fortunately for Saints, Viafara was more than up for the fight doing more than his fair share of tackling and harrying to keep Saints in the game, particularly when aided by Guthrie in the second half.
Up front Saganowski and Best had few chances, with the Pole expertly poaching his one clear opportunity to keep up his incredible strike rate of nine strikes in ten starts. Wright-Phillips came on for the injured best to no effect when the out of favour Rasiak may well have been a better option.
On the Cross verdict
In a very even game of what might have been, Saints were once again guilty of not closing down opposition players, allowing what were two excellently taken strikes. As my favourite pundit Oscar Wilde would have said, to fail to close down once may be regarded as a misfortune; to fail to do it twice looks like carelessness.
Sunderland looked a real threat in the first half without creating a great deal. Similarly Saints improved in the second half, thanks to the introduction of Danny Guthrie who should have been on from the start, although our goal was out of the blue in a game of few real chances.
As it is we slip down to eight, when our second half performance deserved at least a draw. Sunderland showed how a well organised and motivated side they are, with the prowling Keane a brooding presence on the touchline to ensure his players kept up their effort levels to the end.
After Saints' tame defeat to Colchester, it was at least pleasing to see Saints competing well, although as of late we created far fewer chances than normal, in part due to our weakness on the flanks and in part due to the opposition.
And so after two good away wins Saints are back out of the play-offs after conceding yet more late goals. We are at least consistent in our inconsistency, but with those above us continuing to slip up, more twists and turns are to come if Saints can string some wins together.
The side are at least showing some fight and finishing ability, we just need to add some of the creativity that has faded of late. Just the small matter of Birmingham away next...
Man of the match: All action and hugely energetic performance from Viafara who missed an excellent chance when clean through at an angle. Will never be the best passer in the game, but his pace and power did much to keep Sunderland at bay even when out of position on the right.
Cameo of the day: Danny Guthrie came on for Dyer at half time and Saints looked much stronger for his energy and passing. Set up Saganowski for Saints' goal with an intelligent run and first time cross on the volley. Should have started.
Lemon of the day: Simply awful afternoon for Bradley Wright-Phillips when nothing went for him. Lost the ball nearly every time he got it and got no change out of the Sunderland defence. Looks a player well short of confidence.