Marton Fulop made a crucial injury-time save to earn Sunderland a point in a goalless draw at Bolton that edges them closer towards Premier League survival.

The Sunderland goalkeeper produced a magnificent save to deny Gary Cahill a late winner and boost Ricky Sbragia's side survival hopes.

The visitors also had their chances, with Kieran Richardson firing over early on but both sides had to settle for a point.

Dean Whitehead's overhead kick, another Richardson effort and a low drive from the industrious Grant Leadbitter all threatened the home goal without looking like breaching it.

Richardson should at least have tested Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen with a 20-yard free-kick that drifted disappointingly over before Jones limped off.

Djibril Cisse's arrival from the bench met with the approval of his side's support, even if Richardson was the player who continued to hog the chances, a half-volley bobbling wide despite being on his better left-foot.

Jaaskelainen stuck out a boot to hack a Cisse cross-shot away from danger before Bolton made one last concerted attempt at breaking the deadlock.

Mark Davies rushed his shot when namesake Kevin flicked a header into his path, then fellow substitute Mustapha Riga drove a volley into the ground when he should have done much better.

The real drama was still to come though, with Cahill's header seemingly heading for the corner - only for Fulop to fling himself to the right of his goal to preserve a precious point.