SUNDERLAND 0, CRYSTAL PALACE 0
Two players were sent off and seven booked as First Division Crystal Palace held their Premiership opponents to a draw in an ill-tempered FA Cup Third Round tie at the Stadium of Light.
It was the second time in a month that Sunderland had failed to make progress in a cup competition against the Londoners after their 2-1 Worthington Cup quarter final defeat and they must now return to Selhurst Park a week on Wednesday for replay.
Palace had to thank Latvian goalkeeper Alex Kolinko for a superb second half display when he made a series of breath-taking saves.
Sunderland must have fancied their chances of breaking the deadlock when Palace defender Hayden Mullins was sent off for using his elbow on Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann, who was booked for retalliation.
But Palace fought like tigers, and had three late penalty appeals turned down before home central defender Stanislav Varga was sent off in the 89th minute for a professional foul on striker Dougie Freedman, who was brought down on a clear run to goal.
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