Kenwyne Jones scored a 64th minute equaliser for Sunderland, but they are still in relegation trouble after 11 games without a win.Wigan, who will certainly be happier with this away point, put Sunderland on the back foot from the 20th minute when Mohamed Diame robbed Lorik Cana before surging forward and powering a shot into the top corner from 16 yards.
It was a goal that created unrest among Sunderland fans, who booed off their team at the end of a half when Jones went closest to a leveller when his 30th minute shot was deflected onto the post.
Jones did have the ball in the net in the second half, but was fractionally offside, while Michael Turner also missed a glorious 60th minute chance for the home side.
Wigan created further chances after their goal, notably when James McCarthy went clear in the 58th minute, but was foiled by a fine save from Craig Gordon. It proved to be a decisive moment, with Jones heading in the leveller six minutes later from Jordan Henderson's cross.
REACTION:
Bruce paid tribute to Jones after the striker's goal salvaged a point that does nothing to ease Sunderland's relegation fears.
Bruce said:"It was arguably his best game of the season. I thought he was terrific and more like himself. He produced a big performance for us today - and we needed him."
The Jones equaliser was a reward for their improved second-half show. Bruce said:"We were much better in the second half, but couldn't have been any worse than we were in the first
"We were nervous and edgy as soon as they scored and we've got to be able to handle it better than we are doing at the moment. We're now in a group of 10 teams who are all looking over their shoulders. We have to get a win to turn it round.
"I'm not unduly worried but I'm not enjoying it. We've had a horrible run after a fantastic start and we have to end it. I'm not going to give up. I've never given up in my life and we've got to make sure we are ready for the challenge ahead."
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was disappointed that his team failed to cling to their lead. He said:"The hardest thing is coming away and scoring first goal. Once we did that, I thought we went on and coped well with Sunderland's threat.
"We expected them to put us under pressure, so I'm disappointed we didn't score the second goal. It would have changed the whole game and made it easier for us.
"we had two opportunities through Charles N'Zogbia and James McCarthy, the two most talented players in the squad. I feared it would come back to haunt us.
"I am very pleased with the performance. We showed togetherness, responsibility and defensive qualities. Perhaps I'm being ultra-critical, but I was disappointed with our use of the ball, though. We looked a bit tense and couldn't keep it as well as we can
"We were not full of confidence after being beaten by Blackburn and Everton when we were the better side, but I thought we still coped with the pressure that Sunderland put us under in the second half.
"The crowd played a massive role and Sunderland built on their aerial threat, but we dealt with it. This is a great platform to build on going into the final games of the season."
Martinez paid tribute to goalscorer Diame. "I haven't seen him strike the ball like that before," he said. "He deserved it, though, because he works so hard for the team. He is settling into the Premiership and is enjoying his football. It was great to see him striking the ball so cleanly.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
In a manner which can only mean there must have been a real feeling of relief in the Sunderland dressing room. They were under pressure from their fans after a dismal first-half when they trailed to Diame's goal and only a fine save from Craig Gordon prevented them going further behind. It was the turning point of the game because Jones headed the equaliser six minutes later. Jones was unforunate on other occasions, but it was the right result.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Very little in terms of the survival chances of both teams who are still looking anxiously over their shoulders. Some of the sides below them chalked up good wins, so a point apiece does not ease relegation concerns. Sunderland have not won in 11 games and wins are equally elusive for Wigan, who have managed only one in their last nine matches. They are sequences which are affecting the confidence of both teams and need to be ended soon if they want to have a trouble-free climax to the season. A blow for Sunderland is an injury to Henderson, who could be out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
QUOTABLE:
You won't see a bitter strike than that today in the Premier League."
Martinez pays tribute to Diame's goal
SUNDERLAND 1 (Jones 64) WIGAN 1 (Diame 20)
LINE-UPS:
Sunderland (4-4-2): Gordon 6; Hutton 7, Turner 5, Kilgallon 5, McCartney 5; Henderson 6 (Zenden 69,5), Cana 5, Cattermole 5, Reid 5 (Benjani 87,5); Bent 5, Jones 8.
Subs: Fulop, Bardsley, Da Silva, Campbell, Malbranque.
Wigan (4-1-4-1): Kirkland 6; Boyce 6, Caldwell 6, Bramble 6, Figueroa 7; Thomas 6; N'Zogbia 6, Diame 8 Scharner 5 (Moreno 75,5), McCarthy 6; Rodallega 5 (Moses 84,5). Subs: Stojkovic, Scotland, Moses, Sinclair, Melchiot.
Referee: S Attwell (Warwickshire)
ATTENDANCE: 38,350
NEXT UP:
Sunderland v Portsmouth (Away) Premier League 09/02, 1945 GMT
Wigan v Stoke (Home) Premier League, 09/02, 1945 GMT
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland): The striker has been unsettled by transfer talk during the January window, but was close to his best with a whole-hearted performance when he scored the equaliser and also hit the post.
