Sunderland v Leicester 17/08/96 3.00

Sunderland              (0) 0 Leicester               (0) 0 FT

Niall Quinn leapt off the substitutes' bench to inspire Sunderland, but Peter Reid's men were still held to a goalless draw by fellow Carling Premiership new boys Leicester City at Roker Park.

Sunderland had ground to a halt when Reid thrust Quinn - signed for £1.3million from Manchester City earlier this week - into the fray 11 minutes into the second half.

The 6ft 4ins Republic of Ireland international made an immediate impact, scrambling the ball home from a free kick, but referee Stephen Lodge had already blown for a foul.

Quinn threatened again with a diving header at the far post from Steve Agnew's right-wing cross, which Leicester's debutant keeper, Kasey Keller, did well to hold on to.

Meanwhile, Keller's opposite number, Tony Coton - who was also making his debut - came to Sunderland's rescue when the dangerous Emile Heskey broke clear on 65 minutes.

Quinn's former colleague at Manchester City made a vital save with his legs to block Heskey's low shot.

Sunderland almost snatched a last-minute winner when Paul Stewart met a Martin Scott cross with a looping header, which Keller tipped over at full stretch.

Leicester were hanging on desparately at the death, but had contributed enough over the 90 minutes to deserve their share of the spoils from a full-bloodied match which saw Lodge dish out eight bookings - four on each side.

Sunderland had badly wanted to win a match between two sides earmarked by many as hot favourites for relegation this season.

Roared on by a passionate Roker crowd, Sunderland had started their first match in the Premiership in determined style and Leicester found themselves back-pedalling.

Their skipper, Steve Walsh, was booked for cynically holding back Stewart when he threatened to burst clear through the middle, but the visitors weathered the early storm and gradually settled down.

Neil Lennon, Muzzy Izzet and Scott Taylor began to win the midfield battle and Sunderland lost their early momentum and began to look increasingly anxious.

Leicester were dangerous on the break, with Heskey's pace and power a constant threat to the Sunderland defence.

After one surge by the big striker Mike Whitlow had a shot from the edge of the area deflected for a corner.

Sunderland regrouped as half-time loomed and created the best chance of the half. Skipper Kevin Ball supplied a cross from the left and Agnew's looping header was palmed over by Keller.

Sunderland: (4-4-2) Coton, Kubicki, Scott, Bracewell, Ball, Melville, Gray (Aiston, 56), Ord, Stewart, Agnew (Bridges, 73), Kelly (Quinn, 56).

Subs not used: Preece, Hall.

Booked: Agnew, Stewart, Scott, Ball.

Leicester: (3-5-2) Keller, Grayson, Whitlow, Prior, Watts, Walsh, Izzet, Lennon, Taylor, Robins (Lawrence, 62), Heskey.

Subs not used: Poole, Rolling, McMahon, Campbell.

Booked: Walsh, Izzet, Heskey, Lennon.

Attendance: 19,262.

Referee: S J Lodge (Barnsley).