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SUNDERLAND, England: Sunderland's quest for a first win since November goes on but Kenwyne Jones at least prevented another defeat with the big striker's second half header securing a 1-1 draw with Wigan.
Mohamed Diame's powerful drive had given the visitors a deserved first-half lead and Craig Gordon made an important save from James McCarthy before Jones came to Sunderland's rescue.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce handed loan signing Alan Hutton a first start with the Tottenham right-back replacing the injured John Mensah.
Wigan were looking to bounce back from their midweek FA Cup embarrassment by League Two's Notts County and Chris Kirkland, Hendry Thomas, Charles N'Zogbia, Hugo Rodallega and James McCarthy all returned to Roberto Martinez's line-up.
It was Sunderland however who started as if they had a point to prove and Hutton was quickly looking like an astute signing, picking out Darren Bent with a ball into the box that the England striker should have made more of.
Wigan could have taken the lead with 12 minutes on the clock but Paul Scharner completely missed his kick with just Gordon to beat after being teed up by McCarthy.
The Latics went close again when Maynor Figueroa's 30-yard drive whistled inches over Gordon's crossbar and minutes later they claimed the lead.
Rodallega dispossessed Sunderland skipper Lorik Cana and when the ball broke to Diame, the midfielder hammered an unstoppable shot past Gordon.
Sunderland remained on the back foot with only a solo run and shot by Kenwyne Jones relieving the pressure. The Trinidad and Tobago striker's effort was deflected off Figueroa and shaved the post.
Wigan twice went close to adding to their score as the match approached the half-time mark. Gordon pulled off a fine save to tip Lee Cattermole's 25-yard drive over the bar and also had to be alert to keep out an overhead kick from Colombian striker Rodallega three minutes before the break.
Sunderland were significantly better after the restart and it required a fine defensive header from Gary Caldwell to prevent Bent from connecting Andy Reid's cross.
Bent then had a 55th-minute strike correctly ruled out for offside as Sunderland began to increase the pressure.
The home side did have a major escape three minutes later when Gordon saved with his legs from McCarthy.
But they should have equalised soon afterwards, defender Michael Turner heading Jordan Henderson's cross across the goalmouth from an unmarked position.
N'Zogbia was equally wasteful at the other end but Sunderland's pressure finally yielded an equaliser in the 65th minute.
Hutton started the move by releasing Henderson down the right and the midfielder delivered a perfect cross which Jones met with a textbook header to leave Kirkland helpless.
Henderson was soon to depart, on a stretcher with what looked like a serious ankle injury, and both sides appeared happy to settle for a draw before Bent secured a sight of goal deep into stoppage time. The striker's shot was on target but struck Jones and bounced clear. - AFP/fa
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