SUNDERLAND, United Kingdom (AFP) — Ten-man Sunderland took a small step towards Premier League survival after coming from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Stoke yesterday.

Former Manchester United defender John O’Shea rescued a point for Paolo di Canio’s side, already a man down after Craig Gardner was sent off, when he struck from close range in the 63rd minute following a corner.

Jon Walters gave Stoke a ninth-minute lead, reacting first to fire home after his header from Charlie Adam’s cross was blocked.

Then, for the second match in a row, Sunderland found themselves down to 10 men after Gardner was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Mason for an over-the-ball one-footed challenge on Adam.

The draw left Sunderland as one of three teams on 38 points (above Norwich and Newcastle on goal difference) and three points clear with two games to play of Wigan, who currently occupy the third and final relegation place.

However, FA Cup finalists Wigan will also move to 38 points with two league games left, and intensify a manic battle to avoid demotion to the second-tier Championship, if they win at home to manager Roberto Martinez’s former club Swansea today.

Sunderland next play Southampton, with the south coast side themselves not out of drop danger on 39 points, with di Canio glad he was able to inspire his team at half-time.

“What can you say at half-time? I tried to motivate my players and told them that we were playing at home,” the Italian told Sky Sports. “If you don’t concede a second goal you can stay in the game.

“The players were amazing to react in the way they did. This point, in my opinion, will be crucial at the end of the season. I will not cry or make an excuse. We have players missing and I will focus only on those players I can select,” he said.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis, frustrated by the outcome, praised Sunderland’s resilience by saying: “It was a hard-earned point, we knew it would be hard.”

Bottom of the table Queens Park Rangers and Reading have already been relegated.