Sunderland lucky

The First Division outfit - without four regulars through suspension - had knocked their Premiership opponents out of the Worthington Cup in the quarter- final at Selhurst Park and deserved to claim their scalps a second time in a disappointing third round tie at the Stadium of Light.

But Sunderland escaped the embarrassment of another defeat thanks to the leniency of Leeds referee Mike Riley, who turned down what appeared to be two legitimate late penalty appeals.

Even home manager Peter Reid admitted the claims looked perfectly genuine as his side failed to cope with the speedy attacks of a Palace side which refused to throw in the towel after being reduced to ten men through the dismissal of defender Hayden Mullin in the 58th minute.

The Londoners travelled to the North-East with a game plan devised by manager Alan Smith, which centred round keeping Sunderland's 12-goal star striker Kevin Phillips under lock and key.

They largely succeeded, but even though the England man had a quiet game, others should have taken over his scoring mantle in a dreadful first half when the entertainment value could hardly have been lower.

Big striker Danny Dichio, again starting ahead of Republic of Ireland international Niall Quinn, missed a sitter from six yards in the 13th minute and a couple of promising breaks by Phillips came to nothing.

Reid's half-time team talk must have had the paint on the dressing room walls blistering, for Sunderland began the second half in whirlwind fashion, and only a series of superb saves by Latvian keeper Alex Kolinko kept them at bay.

He made breathtaking stops from Alex Rae, Don Hutchison and Gavin McCann, and when Mullin got his marching orders for a senseless elbow on McCann - booked for retaliating - it looked only a matter of time before the Wearsiders would overwhelm their opponents.

But Sunderland huffed and puffed, trying to beat their way through the middle instead of heeding Reid's instructions to attack depleted Palace down the flanks, and there was a warning shot from Steve Thomson, which goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen did well to push round the post.

Scottish striker Dougie Freedman - booked in the sixth minute for a dive when Emerson Thome's challenge looked suspiciously like a foul - might have scored from six yards as Palace fired over some uncomfortable corners.

When Finnish striker Mikael Forssell came on for the dangerous Clinton Morrison, he was an instant irritation, possessing the speed to get past Sunderland's tiring defenders.

Palace seemed to have grounds for a penalty in the 82nd minute when Latvian winger Andrejs Rubins was brought down, but Mr Riley waved aside appeals when Sorensen seemed to up-end Forssell four minutes later.

Forssell threatened to run riot, going close with two shots before Freedman broke clear in the 89th minute and looked a certain scorer before he was brought down unceremoniously by Stanislav Varga, who was given his marching orders.

Sunderland were glad to hear the final whistle, delayed by five minutes of stoppage time.

Reid said: "Their keeper made some good saves at the start of the second half when we looked lively, inventive and made chances. Then the referee spoilt it by giving them ten men. We were too anxious and tried to play through the middle instead of getting wide.

"It is always difficult against ten men - you have to learn to get it down and be patient but we were too anxious."

He added: "It was a disappointing performance and I'm just pleased we are still in the competition.

"Our record at Selhurst Park is abysmal and we will have to change that to get a result in the replay. We're still in the hat and we know we have a hard game in front of us, but it is one to win."