Through no fault of their own, Joachim Bjorklund and Phil Babb have come to represent the excesses of Sunderland's Premiership past.

After being handed lucrative long-term deals while the Black Cats were still a top-flight club, the ageing pair were quickly slapped onto the transfer list when Sunderland desperately sought to reduce their outgoings last summer.

More than 20 senior professionals might have left the Stadium of Light in the last 12 months, but Bjorklund and Babb have remained to provide a rare link to the club's more extravagant recent history.

So it was fitting that the defensive duo rolled back the years at Wigan's JJB Stadium to provide a defensive display that kept Sunderland fans dreaming of an imminent return to football's promised land.

Reunited in defence because of injuries to George McCartney and Julio Arca, Bjorklund and Babb combined to shut out a Latics attack that had bagged seven goals in their previous four games.

Swedish international Bjorklund, making only his second start since the middle of February, dominated the centre of defence and made two sensational last-ditch tackles to thwart both Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts when they seemed certain to score.

And centre-half Babb slotted in at left-back to temper the right-wing bursts of Gary Teale and provide Sunderland with some much-needed solidity in a game played at breakneck speed from first minute to last.

"Bjorklund was excellent," said boss Mick McCarthy. "But him and Phil Babb have been superb whenever I've had to call on them this season.

"They're two players who weren't wanted here in the summer because of the financial situation of the club. I always wanted to keep them - because I know what they can do football-wise - but the financial situation dictated otherwise.

"They knew that and so the way they've handled the situation has been brilliant. It says it all when they can come in and play as well as they have done."

A goalless draw at Wigan might not be a cause for unbridled joy but, after three successive defeats had raised serious questions over Sunderland's mental resolve towards the end of such a gruelling season, McCarthy was adamant the result was one point gained rather than two points lost.

They still need five points to be assured of a play-off spot but, with West Ham, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United all recording impressive away wins on Saturday, it was imperative that Sunderland steadied their ship against a side likely to be standing in their way again later this month.

"I've never had a bad point," said McCarthy. "We'd just lost three games and, even though we shouldn't have lost them, it can just go on and on. So to come to Wigan and get a point is an extremely positive result for us."

The Black Cats threatened to take more than a point as they burst out of the blocks to dominate an opening quarter of an hour that was every bit as hot as the blistering Lancashire sun.

Kevin Kyle did most of the damage, with the burly Scotsman winning every header and lay-off going against the imposing Jason De Vos at the heart of the Wigan defence.

The Scotland international saw his goalbound header hacked off the line by Leighton Baines in only the second minute and twice played pinpoint passes into the path of Jeff Whitley, only for the midfielder to shoot tamely at goalkeeper John Filan on both occasions.

Kyle's physical power has been well documented this season, but it was his surprisingly deft touch that set up Marcus Stewart for Sunderland's best chance of the first half in the 20th minute.

He glanced John Oster's through ball into Stewart's path but the former Ipswich striker, recalled to the starting line-up in place of Darren Byfield, wanted too much time and his stabbed shot was blocked by the onrushing Filan.

Kyle's influence steadily waned after that and, with Wigan gradually gaining the upper hand in a stretched midfield, the impetus shifted either side of the interval.

The pace of Roberts and Ellington began to ask serious questions of the Sunderland defence, and their delicate interplay twice ended in the latter shooting wastefully wide.

Bjorklund and Gary Breen were forced into desperate saving tackles but, with Darren Williams replacing the barely fit Stephen Wright at right-back, Sunderland's defence stood firm.

Breen actually went close at the other end on the stroke of half-time - glancing Oster's corner against the post - but, throughout the second half, the Black Cats found themselves on the back foot. Breen showed his defensive mettle by volleying Roberts' intricate lob off the line and Ellington failed to hit the target again after cutting in from the left flank.

That was profligate, but it was nothing compared to the striker's miss 12 minutes from time. Roberts outfoxed both Babb and Bjorklund down the right, but Ellington somehow contrived to stab his low cross over the top from no more than five yards.

Babb was the focus of a late penalty appeal after appearing to haul down Teale while both players were off the pitch, but referee Phil Crossley rightly waved away Wigan's appeals.

Along with Bjorklund, the Irishman has already been through enough trauma this season.

Result: Wigan Athletic 0 Sunderland 0.

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