Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says Ben Foster was the difference after their 0-0 draw with West Brom.

Foster made fine saves from Lee Cattermole and Jan Kirchhoff, two from Fabio Borini and at the death, kept out Defoe's 89th-minute strike with his foot on a day when another priceless two points went begging.

Allardyce, who saw a stoppage-time strike from substitute Dame N'Doye correctly ruled out for offside, said: "I don't know what else we can do, I don't know what I can say. We have had, I think without any question, the best performance for 90 minutes I have had since I have been here.

"Unfortunately there was a guy in the goal who stopped us scoring two or three goals today, and when we finally thought the gods were looking upon us to score one, we were offside, so it's been a hugely frustrating afternoon."

Baggies boss Tony Pulis was indebted to Foster, but not surprised by his contribution.

He said: "Ben has been like that since he came back. People forget that we didn't have him for six months this season. He is a top goalkeeper, a top lad."