Premier League strugglers Sunderland were unable to break down Tony Pulis' stubborn West Brom side, as the visitors held on to earn a 0-0 draw.

Gus Poyet wrote an open letter to the Sunderland support in midweek, appealing for unity between the fans and the team, but the Uruguayan's prospects will not have been helped by another stodgy display.

Although failing to create clear-cut chances, Sunderland should have been ahead on the stroke of half time when Adam Johnson stole in to tuck home from close-range, but the goal was erroneously ruled out by the officials.

Santiago Vergini wasted a golden opportunity to open his Sunderland account 15 minutes into the second half, with the hosts the only side showing any attacking intent as the game wore on.

Connor Wickham went close with a header with just over 10 minutes remaining, but for all their pressure, Sunderland were unable to snatch a winner.

They have now only claimed one victory from their last nine league fixtures, with Saturday's goalless stalemate their 13th of the campaign.

Sunderland made five changes to the side that was dumped out of the FA Cup by Bradford City last time out, with Poyet drafting Lee Cattermole – out since December with niggling groin injuries – straight back into the starting line-up.

The game started in controversial fashion when referee Mike Jones deemed that Joleon Lescott had not prevented a goal-scoring opportunity when he hauled down Danny Graham on the edge of the area.

Despite Sunderland's protestations, Lescott escaped with just a booking, while Sebastian Larsson fired into the side-netting from the resulting free-kick.

Poyet's side continued to press West Brom, with the visitors unable to get the ball into the feet of in-form striker Brown Ideye.

However Sunderland lacked the quality to make their possession count against a typically organised Pulis defence, though Jermain Defoe did go close before John O'Shea headed wide from a whipped Larsson free-kick.

Johnson had the ball in the back of the net in the 45th minute when, after latching onto Vergini's cross at the back post, but the strike was incorrectly disallowed for offside.

Foster had to be alert again a minute later to palm away Larsson's stinging drive before the break, but Vergini could not work the England man from close range 15 minutes into the second half unmarked from Larsson's corner.

Poyet introduced Steven Fletcher and Wickham with just over 20 minutes of normal time remaining, while Pulis sent on Chris Baird to shore up his defence.

Wickham brought Foster into action as Sunderland pushed for a winner, but the game ended goalless, to widespread indifference from the Stadium of Light crowd.