WOLVES.................................................................... 0 Cats cling on after moment of madness by ‘Clatter’mole

TEN-MAN Sunderland dug in to hold Championship leaders Wolves to a draw at Molineux.

The Black Cats played almost half an hour a man light after Lee Cattermole saw red for the first time in more than four years, after being booked twice in the space of only 60 seconds.

The midfielder will miss next weekend’s home game against Fulham through suspension, but he will have been a relieved man today because his recklessness could easily have condemned Sunderland to defeat.

Instead, Chris Coleman’s side showed tremendous character to keep Wolves at bay and earn their second clean sheet in three games with goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter outstanding in the latter stages.

Wolves had won six league games on the spin, had won nine of their previous 10 league games, and had not dropped a point at home since September, which puts this result into context.

Sunderland remain next-to-bottom but have cut the gap between themselves and fourth-bottom Bolton Wanderers to a single point, with the Trotters – along with fellow relegation rivals Burton Albion and Birmingham City all losing.

Coleman made three changes to the side that lost at home to Reading last weekend, two of which were forced upon him while the third came as he switched to a back five.

Donald Love came in to make his first league start of the season, taking the place of the injured Bryan Oviedo. Love played at right wingback, with Adam Matthews moving over to fill the gap left by Oviedo on the opposite side.

Lynden Gooch replaced the suspended Callum McManaman, who Robbin Ruiter (left) and team-mate John O’Shea celebrate the draw was serving a one-match ban following his red card against the Royals.

And the third change saw Marc Wilson drafted in as the third centreback, with winger Aiden McGeady the man to make way.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo made one change to the side that won at Birmingham City in midweek, with Ruben Neves returning from suspension and taking the place of ex-Sunderland midfielder Alfred N’Diaye.

Wolves dominated the first half but both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances, with goalkeepers Ruiter and John Ruddy virtual spectators.

Barry Douglas and Ivan Cavaleiro both fired early chances wide.

And only late in the half did the Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole (right) home side really begin to ask questions of the Sunderland defence, with Jota firing wastefully across the face of Ruiter’s goal after being released in the left-hand channel by Willy Boly 10 minutes before the break.

Then in injury time at the end of the first period, Leo Bonatini sliced wide after good work from Cavaleiro.