PRETTY and memorable it most certainly was not. In fact, it may well prove to be one of the more forgettable games of Sunderland’s season.

But getting something rather than nothing even when you’re below par is a handy knack in a promotion race, and while the Black Cats were well below their best at Deepdale on Wednesday night, they at least returned to Wearside with another point on the board and a seventh successive Championship game without defeat.

At times they had Preston’s wastefulness in front of goal rather than their own stubborn defending to thank for a ninth clean sheet in 14 games. But all shut-outs count – and come particularly handy when the frontline misfires like it did at Deepdale.

The return of Chris Rigg in place of the suspended Bellingham – who watched on from the away end at Deepdale – was expected to be the only change but Regis Le Bris sprung a couple of surprises with two full debuts in a new-look attack. With Romaine Mundle and Patrick Roberts rested, Wilson Isidor shifted to the left, Tommy Watson came in on the right and Aaron Connolly led the line. But the trio didn’t click. Not that they were the only Sunderland players below par in the opening 45 minutes.

A much-changed Sunderland side lost at Deepdale in the Carabao Cup back in August and if you didn’t know better you’d be excused for thinking Le Bris had again named his second string on the evidence of the first half. The Black Cats didn’t much look like league leaders.

They improved after the break, particularly after the introduction of Roberts and Mundle on the hour mark, and for a spell the Black Cats looked the more likely to break the deadlock. But a draw was probably a fair result on the balance of the game. And if the league table is of interest at this stage of the season, with a draw Sunderland opened the gap to third place to four points after Leeds United’s defeat at Millwall.

Preston are battling at the other end but the standings don’t give Paul Heckingbottom the credit he deserves for North End’s improvement since his appointment. It seems an eternity ago now that the former Sheffield United boss was being linked with the Black Cats in the summer. Heckingbottom this week admitted he hadn’t heard of Le Bris before his Stadium of Light arrival in the summer but how the French head coach and his side have made the Championship sit up and take notice. Dips and off days or nights are inevitable, though. But Sunderland have shown they can grind out results even when they’re off colour.

Sunderland were lucky not to be a goal and a man down inside the first six minutes – and it was Wearsider Sam Greenwood who could have made the Black Cats pay for their sluggish start.

The Leeds United loanee was teed up inside the box by Jordan Storey after just a couple of minutes and had the time and space to pick his spot but scuffed his effort to the relief of his boyhood club.

Greenwood is known for his set-piece prowess but could only hit the wall with a free-kick right on the very edge of the Sunderland box soon after; that after he’d been wiped out by last man Chris Mepham, who was perhaps fortunate to avoid a red card.

Greenwood was again involved in Preston’s next clear opportunity just before the 20 minute mark, picking out Mads Frokjaer with a fine delivery from the left, the forward’s header bouncing narrowly wide of Moore’s far post. Sunderland’s defence was shaky and unsettled, Emil Riis the next to win a header that was again off target to the relief of the unconvincing visitors.

After a spell of calm that Sunderland needed, Browne cheaply conceded possession to Greenwood but quickly made amends with a crunching challenge. That was followed by a heroically brave and brilliant Luke O’Nien block which left the defender writhing around in pain inside his own box and needing treatment.

Sunderland’s only effort of note had been a low Isidor strike into the side netting but the Black Cats came within a whisker of getting themselves in front 10 minutes before the break when Hume scampered away down the right and crossed for Connolly whose close-range prod at goal was deflected just wide.

But it was Preston who finished the first half on top, Riis only denied a fine curling opener by a full-stretch Moore save. Le Bris resisted any temptation to change personnel at the break and an attack immediately after the restart sparked hope of an improvement.

A Preston corner soon presented the Black Cats with an opportunity as Isidor led the charge on a counter, but the forward was wasteful, losing control with a heavy touch and eventually conceding a free-kick.

Frokjaer followed Isidor’s lead in lacking composure, blazing over from the edge of the box when the loose ball rolled into the path of the Sunderland forward.

Sunderland were at last at least giving the home defence something to think about, mainly through Isidor’s pace and direct running. He won a free-kick right on the edge of the box but Browne made a mess of his effort.

When Le Bris turned to his bench on the hour mark, it was no surprise to see Roberts and Mundle introduced and Watson and Connolly make way. Isidor moved up-front, Sunderland advanced and Preston retreated. Roberts immediately added an injection of urgency and Dennis Cirkin and Mundle wasted no time in linking up down the left.

Sunderland went closest late though Roberts but the substitute’s volley was tipped around the post by Woodman.