SUNDERLAND'S champion ship champagne wilt have to stay on ice until the weekend at least. Peter Reid's Endsleigh League leaders now need to gain a point at home on Saturday to clinch the first division title after failing to overcome Stoke today.

However, there was still a party atmosphere at Roker Park today - the club secured promotion yesterday when Derby County failed to beat Birmingham City.

The fans arrived early. many still wearing scarves from last night's celebrations, but for once their team's performance gave them little to cheer.

Stoke, with Premiership dreams of their own were well organised, well disciplined and well worth a point.

Substitute Michael Bridges could have sewn up victory - and the championship - for Sunderland when he was put clean through by Michael Gray in the second half.

He got away from Larus Sigurdsson in front of the posts but steered his shot wide.

Bridges' misery was complete two minutes from time when he was carried off on a stretcher with his legs strapped together, to be replaced by Gareth Hall.

Sunderland have made remarkable progress under manager Peter Raid. Thin time last year were fighting to beat the drop, now they are heading for millionaires' row after a five-year gap. The former Everton star has become a cult figure on Wearside and the bumper crowd sang "cheer up Peter Reid" to the tune of The Monkees' Day Dream Bellever.

Sunderland were unable to call the tune today but at least the players set a club record of 17 matches unbeaten.

Central defender Richard Ord had a clear chance of giving Sunderland the lead when Andy Melville headed a free-kick from Steve Agnew across the face of the penalty area, but he volleyed over from six yards.

Mike Sheron looked lively for Stoke and twice could have put them ahead before half-time. He headed wide from a cross by Simon Stuiridge and then saw an other elfort from Mark Devlin's corner cleared off the line.

Sunderland keeper Alec Chamberlain did well to touch a 25-yard effort from Graham Potter on to the bar. Then Mark Devlin sliced the shot wide off Chambedain's post from close range.

Bridges, who is only 17, showed some neat touches, as did fellow sub Sam Aiston. The pair linked up to carve open the Stoke defence, only for Aiston to knock his effort wide.

Now the fans will be preparing to wrap the title up at the weekend with Sunderland's final match at Tranmere on Sunday, May 5.