GEORGE McCARTNEY last night warned Sunderland's First Division rivals that adopting a safety-first philosophy at the Stadium of Light will end in tears.

Sunderland were unable to penetrate Cardiff City's blanket defence on Tuesday - but McCartney is adamant that the goalless draw was a blip for the Black Cats.

McCartney, 22, and his teammates are trying to make a strong home record the cornerstone of an assault on promotion.

The midweek draw was the first time Sunderland had failed to take maximum points from a game at the Stadium of Light since August 16.

And McCartney said: "Cardiff sat back and put eight or nine men behind the ball and we found it hard to get round the back of them.

"We have to get used to teams doing that because I think quite a few sides will come to Sunderland defend in depth.

"But we have the experience and the know-how to break teams down.

"You could see how far we've come in such a short space of time by looking at Cardiff's reaction. They were jumping about and congratulating each other.

"Teams are going to come here and be content with a point because we've stabilised after a shaky start and we're in the promotion shake-up."

McCartney reckons Sunderland are on the verge of filling the Stadium of Light again after the club's long-suffering fans endured two miserable years.

Black Cats chiefs are confident of capturing their biggest home crowd of the season when Walsall visit on Saturday.

McCartney added: "The supporters are coming back and that's a good sign. It's great to know the fans are returning.

"It's a massive stadium and we have to play well every week to try to fill it. But we know how big this club is and how many supporters we've got.

"You can't blame some of the fans for not coming back after last season but the fact that nearly 27,000 are going to games is a magnificent sign.

"We want to get back to the days when the stadium had over 40,000 on a regular basis - and those days will return. It's up to us to give the fans something to cheer about."

Sunderland could be without Thomas Butler against Walsall after the winger sprained his ankle against Cardiff.

But Paul Thirlwell, who has missed Sunderland's last three games with a calf injruy, is set to return at the weekend.

* Sunderland's long-running dispute with Manchester United regarding David Bellion's controversial move to Old Trafford will be resolved at a Football League tribunal in London today.

l Alan Quinn could have played his way into Mick McCarthy's first team squad after an impressive debut for the Black Cats' reserve side last night, writes NEIL ANDREWS.

Sunderland became Bolton's first victims in the FA Premier Reserves League this season, losing 2-1, but Quinn's display was sufficient compensation

The Irish midfielder, on a three-month loan from Sheffield Wednesday, was at the heart of most of Sunderland's best moves.

Indeed, the 24-year-old Dubliner gave the visitors an early lead when his long-range effort slammed into the net with Wanderers' keeper Jeremy Bon unsighted.

Jocky Scott's team thought they had scored again when Michael Proctor headed home but the goal was disallowed.

Quinn was then booked for bringing down former AC Milan star Ibrahim Ba. From the free kick Bolton worked the ball to Glen Little, once a Sunderland target, who crossed for Charlie Comyn-Platt to head in the equaliser.

A minute before half-time and Bolton were in front. Thomas Myhre could not hold a shot by Jon Walters and Brazilian ace Mario Jardel scooped in the rebound. Sunderland had the better of the second half but couldn't force an equaliser.

Sunderland: Myhre, Clark, James, Quinn, Bjorklund, Collins, Thornton, Leadbetter, Smith (George 62), Proctor, Black. Subs (not used): Scott, Alnwick, Bell, Huntley.