BLACKBURN Rovers had to settle for a point after failing to make their superiority count in this scrappy Premiership clash at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland, deep in trouble at the foot of the table, spent most of the game on the back foot as Rovers called most of the shots.

But a mixture of wayward finishing and last-gasp defending ensured the game remained goalless at the final whistle.

Damien Duff made a welcome return to Rovers' starting line-up and he was at the centre of most of the visitors' best work in the opening half hour.

Andy Cole shot wide, David Thompson had a header booted off the line and Dwight Yorke fired over, all from Duff's clever prompting.

Then the Republic of Ireland international had a chance himself but his goal-bound shot was expertly blocked by Jody Craddock.

Sunderland, in contrast, offered precious little as an attacking force other than a couple of free kicks which struck the wall.

In the second half Rovers continued to press forward at every opportunity but they couldn't find a way past Thomas Sorensen.

The Sunderland keeper saved brilliantly from both Yorke and Cole and then Yorke skied another effort high over the bar.

In the closing stages the home side had the chance to pinch all the three points when the ball dropped invitingly for Jody Craddock in the area but the defender's shot bounced back off the base of the post with Brad Friedel well beaten.

Rovers dominated the first half of this Premiership clash at the Stadium of Light but failed to find a way past keeper Thomas Sorensen.

Sunderland, deep in trouble at the foot of the table, spent most of the opening 45 minutes on the back foot.

But a mixture of poor finishing and last-gasp defending ensured the game remained scoreless at the interval.

Damien Duff made a welcome return to Rovers' starting line-up and he was at the centre of most of the visitors' best work in the opening half hour.

Andy Cole shot wide, David Thompson had a header booted off the line and Dwight Yorke fired over, all from Duff's clever prompting.

Then the Republic of Ireland international had a chance himself but his goal-bound shot was expertly blocked by Jody Craddock.

Sunderland, in contrast, offered precious little as an attacking force other than a couple of free kicks which struck the wall.

SUNDERLAND: Sorensen, Babb, McCann, Flo, Phillips, Craddock, Williams, Thirlwell, McCartney, Oster, Proctor. Subs: Macho, Bjorklund, Stewart, Kyle, Arca

ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Johansson, Todd, Taylor, Flitcroft, Tugay, Thompson, Cole, Yorke, Duff. Subs: Kelly, Jansen, Ostenstad, Gillespie, Mahon

Referee: Mr M Riley