Manchester United needed a deflected goal from Patrice Evra to rescue a point in their 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
In front of England coach Fabio Capello, who names his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus tomorrow, Darren Bent gave his side the perfect start, driving home his seventh goal of the season after just seven minutes.
United created nothing in reply until after half-time when a brief flurry brought them level, Dimitar Berbatov finding the net with a magnificent overhead kick.
The visitors rallied and Jones got above Foster to nod home Andy Reid's cross, a goal that seemed certain to gain Sunderland their first Old Trafford win since 1968.
But the game turned when former United winger Kieran Richardson was sent off for kicking the ball away, a decision that angered the Sunderland players, but not manager Steve Bruce.
"It was stupid," said Bruce.
"It is hard enough to defend here with 11 players. These things happen in the heat of the moment but it could have cost us the game."
United used the dismissal to have one last assault at the visitors' goal, with Anton Ferdinand the unlucky man as he deflected Evra's shot past Craig Gordon.
"It is totally disappointing," said Bruce. "I don't know what the stat is for the number of times Manchester United have done that but it is what makes this club what it is I suppose.
"It just proves you have to go down to the wire.
"Even when they don't play well, they always seem to get something out of it. And the Ayatollah himself just sits there and watches.
"That is what he has brought to the club. They never give in."
