Sunderland failed to confirm their Premier League status as they threw away the lead to lose 3-1 to Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Black Cats lose as controversy surrounds referee Wiley
Sunderland failed to confirm their Premier League status as they threw away the lead to lose 3-1 at Portsmouth, but the match was overshadowed by controversy surrounding referee Alan Wiley.
The Black Cats, who could be caught by relegation rivals Hull City and Newcastle on the final day of the season, took the lead through Kenwyne Jones, but Pompey deservedly hit back as John Utaka, a Phil Bardsley own goal and Armand Traore wrapped up the points.
However, match official Wiley caused a storm when blowing his whistle before Utaka equalised, only to allow play to continue.
Portsmouth's Peter Crouch and Sunderland's Jones both went agonisingly close to opening the scoring in a tight first half as the pair hit posts at either ends with headers.
But the game then exploded into life on 59 minutes as Jones gave Sunderland the lead against the run of play when prodding in a superb Calum Davenport cross.
The game was then struck by debate 90 seconds later as the equaliser came when Utaka fired in, but Wiley appeared to blow his whistle before the Pompey striker, who was wrestling with Davenport, shot.
Sunderland then found themselves behind in the 68th minute as Utaka broke clear following a horrible gaffe from Anton Ferdinand, and Bardsley was unfortunate to prod into his own net.
Pompey - who were safe from the drop before kick-off - then made sure of the points two minutes from time as substitute Traore fired in a low third to ensure Sunderland host Chelsea on Sunday still sweating on their top-flight safety.
Sunderland remain a point better off than Hull, who host Manchester United, and two ahead of local rivals Newcastle.
Excellent
Other than when both sets of fans joined forces to revel in Alan Shearer's predicament at St James' Park the atmosphere at Fratton Park bordered on the soporific.
Glen Johnson, Portsmouth's Player of the Year, tricked his way into space on the right edge of the Sunderland box and floated a cross towards Crouch.
The England striker had his first header blocked and then saw his second rebound off the inside of the post and roll along the goal-line before Ferdinand slid in to clear.
Sunderland responded positively. Danny Collins stretched to reach Leadbitter's pass and he pulled back an excellent cross for Steed Malbranque, who volleyed wide from 15 yards.
Jones got the better of Sol Campbell with a strong turn to tee up Leadbitter just inside the box but the midfielder's drive was blocked by a brave dive from Sean Davis.
Asmir Begovic, making his debut in the Portsmouth goal, then reacted smartly as the rebound fell to Malbranque to block the deflected strike with his right leg.
Sunderland were struggling to deal with Portsmouth's width and Ferdinand required treatment on a cut above his left eye after clashing in the area with Crouch.
When Sunderland could get Jones into the game he was proving a handful and he teed up Richardson with a delightful back-heel on the edge of the box but the England international spooned his shot high over the bar.
Sunderland lacked the drive and hunger for a team in such desperate need of a win but they came within a hair's breadth of snatching a priceless half-time lead after Jones' downward glancing header struck the inside of the post and rolled across the goal-line.
Hayden Mullins had lost the ball carelessly to Collins wide left and although the
