John O'Shea snatched a potentially priceless point for Sunderland as they held Stoke City to a draw despite having Craig Gardner sent off after 34 minutes for a dangerous challenge on Charlie Adam.

Defeat would have left the home side just above the relegation zone but, having gone behind to Jonathan Walters' early goal, they drew level in the second half as O'Shea prodded home a 63rd-minute corner.

"We have to make sure we focus on Southampton now. It's a massive game at home [on Sunday] and we have one or two knocks and suspensions again so we will have to dust ourselves down and go again," the defender said.

"The manager spoke at half-time about how positive we were for the last 20 minutes of the first half and carrying that forward.

"[Injuries and suspensions are] the test of character we have to have in the squad. It gives a chance to some of the younger lads to get experience.And, if Danny Graham keeps working as hard as he did tonight, he will get his rewards."

Danny Rose almost secured victory for the hosts 10 minutes from time but his low shot hit the outside of the near post.

Sunderland are level with Norwich City and Newcastle United on 38 points in the Barclays Premier League table – three ahead of Wigan Athletic, but they have a game in hand.

After a pre-match appearance by members of Sunderland's FA Cup-winning side of 1973 the opening moments yielded little of consequence, although Alfred N'Diaye won warm applause for a couple of firm challenges in midfield.

Indeed, neither side had managed a shot on goal before Walters put the visitors in front in the ninth minute.

Ryan Shotton's first long throw of the match played its part, with his delivery earning a corner. Adam took it and when Walters' header was blocked by Danny Graham on the line the Republic of Ireland internationalist reacted to score via the underside of the bar.

Sunderland's task became even harder when Adam's run down the right flank was ended by a studs-up challenge from Gardner, and referee Lee Mason, in close attendance, produced a red card.

The dismissal led to a reshuffle by Paolo Di Canio, the Sunderland manager, who rarely moved from the edge of his technical area, with Jack Colback filling in at right-back and Adam Johnson withdrawing slightly to the wing. With the score remaining 1-0 to Stoke after the break, O'Shea almost got on the scoresheet on the hour, prodding goalwards only to see Dean Whitehead block on the line. But the captain went one better two minutes later, popping up at the far post to side-foot Seb Larsson's corner over the line.

Despite chances for either side, the score stayed level, with Di Canio lauding his players for their efforts. He said: "I'm very happy with the way we were after Craig was sent off. It was a tough moment for us. I saw the team I wanted to see, playing football with enthusiasm and character."

The Stoke manager, Tony Pulis, meanwhile, is relieved to be out of the relegation battle. He said: "We are pleased that we've got that point. That takes us to 41. There are a lot of teams down there this time around."