Sunderland are seven points adrift of safety after failing to break down away-day strugglers Burnley at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland failed to score for the fourth consecutive match as a 0-0 home draw against Burnley moved them a step closer to relegation from the Premier League.
Billy Jones missed the hosts' best opportunity with a second-half header as David Moyes' men halted a three-match losing streak, but again failed to find the net.
Bottom-of-the table Sunderland now sit further away from safety – a seven-point gap after Crystal Palace's win over Watford – and have just 10 games left if they are to launch another great escape.