Sunderland 0 Stoke 0:Sunderland's dismal Premier League run now stands at one win in 14 after they were held to a lacklustre stalemate by visiting Stoke.
The Potters had the better of the chances, with former Black Cat Dean Whitehead twice going close, but the hosts had a strong penalty appeal for handball turned down after an hour.
Whitehead was lucky to get away with just a caution after kicking out at Lee Cattermole in the first half, but neither side truly deserved three points.
A skiddy Boudewijn Zenden corner caused panic in the Stoke area three minutes after his arrival, but there were no red and white shirts on hand to poke the ball home.
Stoke substitute Rory Delap also did well seconds later, heading Matthew Etherington’s deep ball across goal where Craig Gordon claimed.
The Irishman then had the chance to send in a trademark long throw but Kenwyne Jones rose well to clear.
A sprinting Ricardo Fuller almost broke the deadlock with nine minutes to play but Gordon stood firm to parry, while Robert Huth headed wide from a 90th-minute corner.