JULIO ARCA and Jason de Vos both saw red on a night of high controversy at the Stadium of Light.

Both Sunderland and Wigan Athletic had to settle for a point in a fixture between two sides who have their eyes set on promotion.

But it was not the opening goal, scored by de Vos, or the late penalty, converted by Stewart Downing, which will grab the headlines - that honour will fall to referee Ray Olivier.

After sending off Arca on the stroke of half-time for his second bookable offence, dished out for alleged diving after a Jimmy Bullard tackle, Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy escorted the official back to the changing room for a word in his ear.

Replays suggested Olivier, stood just yards away from the incident, was wrong to show Arca his second red card of the season - following his dismissal at Sheffield United in October.

But, after de Vos had given Wigan the lead, it was the penalty decision eight minutes from time that should be seriously looked into.

Wigan's Ian Breckin brought down Sunderland substitute Tommy Smith. But, after protestations, Mr Olivier showed de Vos the red card for a professional foul, which was a clear case of mistaken identity.

On the night, though, both sides secured a point and it is one which has reclaimed a play-off place for the Black Cats.

But Sunderland, who have now scored just 24 goals in 21 matches in the League, were in need of a victory to strengthen their promotion hopes.

Success over Wigan would have lifted Sunderland above the Latics, who have moved up to fourth in Division One.

As expected McCarthy opted for Michael Proctor again up front, with Marcus Stewart ruled out through injury.

Proctor started his first match since mid-August on Saturday and he retained his place despite failing to find the back of the net in the frustrating draw with Burnley.

Alan Quinn was the one to make way for John Oster, who returned from a three match suspension, and that was the only change to the side from the weekend.

Wigan, still reeling from their 4-0 hammering at West Ham United, were seeking their first away win in seven matches and they were clearly fired up for the occasion.

After Lee McCulloch headed a Nicky Eaden free-kick just over Mart Poom's crossbar, Arca and the visitors' Liddell did their best to stoke up the heat.

Liddell appeared to say something to the South American as he lay on the floor after a late challenge. Arca immediately stood up and pushed the right-midfielder and was booked for his protestations.

As well as a powerful 25-yard drive from Nathan Ellington, which was expertly punched away by Poom, there were a few full-blooded tackles that followed.

One of those from Liddell resulted in him entering Mr Olivier's notebook when his personal duel with Arca continued.

Chances were few and far between in a turgid first half that was screaming out for a creative spark.

But Proctor should have put Sunderland in front when he was the first to react to a loose ball in the Wigan penalty area. But the young striker, with just goalkeeper John Filan to beat, fired a left foot shot into the side-netting.

Downing was the home side's biggest attacking threat and the teenage winger, on loan from Middlesbrough, was using his pace to good effect.

He brought the ball down on the edge of the Wigan penalty area with an exquisite touch and turn, before firing high over the bar.

The best chance of the opening half, though, fell to Wigan. But Poom and McCartney combined to stop two efforts from inside eight yards from Breckin and Neil Roberts.

However, that good work was undone moments before the interval when Arca controversially saw red which incensed his Sunderland teammates.

Despite being a man down, a furious McCarthy made a double substitution after the restart in a bid to keep his side pushing for a result. Stephen Wright and Paul Thirlwell replaced Colin Healy and Proctor.

The dismissal seemed to make Sunderland even more determined to gain a result and skipper McCartney, now playing in Arca's left-back role, had a low 25-yard shot well saved by Filan.

But the home side's battling spirit was undone on 69 minutes when de Vos edged in front of Kyle to turn Bullard's centre beyond a helpless Poom.

Seven minutes later the Estonian goalkeeper made a fine stop to keep Sunderland in with a shout when turned Liddell's strike away.

And Poom, determined not to be beaten for a second time, then made a fantastic stop to push Gary Teale's stingining shot for a corner.

Then the Black Cats made the most of the No 1's impressive form. Tommy Smith was fouled in the box and de Vos was sent off, albeit wrongly. Downing stepped up cooly to blast the ball into the opposite corner Filan chose to go.

Sunderland 1 - 1 Wigan Athletic

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