Sunderland earned a deserved point as they held runaway Championship leaders Burnley to a goalless draw at Turf Moor. The Black Cats could even have won it 20 minutes from time when substitute Amad hit the crossbar with a deflected shot.
Jack Clarke also had the ball in the net near the end but his effort was correctly disallowed for an offside against Abdoullah Ba, who was standing directly in front of the goalkeeper. Sunderland became only the third team this season to keep a clean sheet against Burnley in the league, and the first to do so at Turf Moor in almost a year - with Manchester City the last team to achieve that feat a year ago on Sunday.
Sunderland stay 11th in the table ahead of the rest of this weekend's Championship fixtures. Burnley extend their lead at the top to 14 points, and they are now 17 points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough.
READ MORE: Tony Mowbray on Sunderland's recruitment system and where he fits into process
Here's how James Hunter rated the Sunderland players.
Anthony Patterson 7
Made a brilliant save from Harwood-Bellis in the first half and his handling was excellent throughout
Trai Hume 7
Another strong performance at right-back, where he was up against a tricky customer in Tella
Luke O'Nien 8
Moved back into central defence and was outstanding alongside Batth
Danny Batth 7
Organised Sunderland's back line and was the glue that held it together
Lynden Gooch 8
Started his first game since mid-January, came in at left-back and made a series of crucial blocks
Dan Neil 7
Competed for every ball in central midfield
Pierre Ekwah 7
This was his first senior start and he looked more comfortable the longer the game went on
Patrick Roberts 7
Not his most influential game but still showed some flashes of quality
Alex Pritchard 7
Played in the number ten role and worked hard for the team
Jack Clarke 7
Always a threat down the left, and an offside flag - correctly - denied him a goal
Joe Gelhardt 7
No real sightings of goal but put in a shift in the final third and never stopped harrying defenders
Subs
Edouard Michut 7
For Ekwah 64mins. Neat and tidy once he came on
Amad 7
For Gelhardt 64mins. Only the woodwork prevented him claiming the winner
Isaac Lihadji N/A
For Roberts 76mins.
Abdoullah Ba N/A
For Pritchard 76mins.
Dennis Cirkin N/A
For Clarke 88mins.
Not used: Bass, Anderson
READ NEXT
Leon Dajaku 'victim of St. Gallen transfer policy' but question marks remain
Lynden Gooch on how Sunderland have 'over-achieved' this season - but are still disappointed
Tony Mowbray could hand starlet Chris Rigg a Championship chance - despite contract uncertainty
Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray hints at loan exit for young defender next season
Former Sunderland manager Jack Ross joins Newcastle United as academy coach
