FALLEN Premiership giants Sunderland FC have come a step closer to beating little Darwen FC's record for the worst run of results in footballing history after losing 1-0 to Millwall at the weekend.

Sunderland will equal Darwen's run of 18 defeats when they face Preston North End at Deepdale next Saturday for a game which is due to be televised.

Darwen set the record in the 1898-99 season.