Sunderland moved up to fifth in League One after playing out a 0-0 draw against Doncaster Rovers.

Despite dropping points it was enough to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.

Phil Parkinson named an unchanged side for the clash under the lights, with new signings Kyle Lafferty and Bailey Wright named among the subs.

As for Doncaster, Darren Moore made two alterations with the injured Kieran Sadlier missing out and James Coppinger dropping to the bench.

They were replaced by Cameron John and Madger Gomes.

It was the visitors who started the brighter as they dictated possession and forced Sunderland into several mistakes in the middle of the park.

Chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges and it took 20 minutes for a first effort at goal to be registered as Joel Lynch headed into the side-netting from a Chris Maguire corner - tricking plenty of fans into thinking the hosts had taken the lead.

That was followed up by a similar effort for the visitors as Tom Anderson headed wide of the mark from Jon Taylor's cross.

Doncaster were impressive going forward, and threatened Jon McLaughlin once again shortly after when Taylor fizzed an effort wide of the mark.

The home fans were starting to get frustrated by the lack of quality on the ball and in truth, it appeared that Rovers were the more likely to make a breakthrough before half-time.

Rovers started the second half as they finished the first but putting Sunderland's defence under real pressure.

Niall Ennis had the best chance of the game so far as he was played in behind the back three only to blaze his effort over McLaughlin's crossbar.

That near miss seemed to shock the home side into life and it was from that point that the Black Cats looked to turn the screw.

Lyden Gooch caused plenty of problems down the left flank, while a fizzed cross from Jordan Willis found Maguire who came very close to finding the back of the net with a snatched effort.

Can you name every Sunderland player's shirt number this season? 

 

With 20 minute remaining Phil Parkinson opted to make a double change with Duncan Watmore and Kyle Lafferty replacing Charlie Wyke and Chris Maguire,

The game certainly became a lot more open in the closing stages as Watmore used his pace and direct nature to cause problems for the visitors, culminating in two stoppage time chances which he came close to converting.

However a breakthrough didn't come as both sides had to settle for a point at the Stadium Of Light.

FULL-TIME: Sunderland 0-0 Doncaster Rovers