Sunderland, without a glut of key players because of the Africa Cup of Nations, turned in a resolute display, and may have won it if not for some fine goalkeeping from Bart Verbruggen.

Robin Roefs pushed away an early chance for Mats Wieffer, though Brighton did not come close again until Yankuba Minteh volleyed over in first-half stoppage-time, after Dan Ballard, Brian Brobbey and Trai Hume missed chances at the other end.

Verbruggen then made a magnificent reflex save to thwart Omar Alderete early in the second half.

Yasin Ayari blazed a couple of decent opportunities over and Georginio Rutter tested Roefs late on, but neither team really looked likely to break the deadlock at that stage.