BOTH managers united in criticising referee Ray Olivier after last night's draw between Sunderland and Wigan.

Mr Olivier sent two men off - one from each side - in controversial circumstances as both sides had to settle for a point.

First Julio Arca was shown his second yellow card when he was accused of diving and then Jason de Vos followed suit in the second half when the official should have sent Ian Breckin off for a professional foul on Tommy Smith.

And bemused Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy said: "Julio's was never a sending off. I have seen it on video. I have asked the referee to look at it. If it's not rescinded there's something seriously wrong with football.

"The referee was in a great position and I have said that to him. The player did not get the ball and I have got to be careful. I am trying my best.

"At least I will have Paul Jewell (Wigan manager) for company. It's strange, really strange.

"The referee has made the decision and he has had the good grace to see me. He assures me that he thinks it was a sending off. Apart from ours he has also sent the wrong player off for them."

Jewell was equally frustrated, and he ironically said: "To be fair both of my players look like each other. One has got number five on his back and the other has got number six.

"I have got to be careful what I say. But if I, as manager, get things wrong I get sacked, players get dropped; so there you go."

The draw left Sunderland still searching for only their second win in eight matches.

But McCarthy was happy with his players' battling attitude after being reduced to ten men.

He said: "It's a shame it has come to that because we will never know what type of game it would have been with 11 versus 11. But I was proud with my players when we were down to ten men.

"They have responded to the different tactics and they have earned a well earned point. They are shattered."