SUNDERLAND claimed a point after a drab encounter with Southampton.

The teams reached half-time goalless before Phil Bardlsey scored to put the Black Cats ahead in the 68th minute.

But Sunderland's lead only lasted eight minutes before Jason Puncheon evened up the scoreline.

And with Newcastle beating QPR the result still leaves Sunderland with work to do to be sure of premiership survival - assuming Wigan beat Arsenal on Tuesday night.

In the first half, Adam Johnson's low shot in to the hands of goalkeeper Artur Boruc the best Sunderland could muster.

And Southampton should have been ahead. Striker Rickie Lambert, however, wasted a glorious position when he volleyed straight at goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from an unmarked position eight yards out.