West Brom booked their place in the Premiership without kicking a football today after Sunderland could only grind out a goalless draw at Wigan.

Prior to the game, the third-placed Black Cats could still mathematically overtake Gary Megson's men and join Norwich in the top flight.

But after they were comfortably held by Wigan at the JJB Stadium, it will be Albion who definitely return to the Premiership at the first time of asking - regardless of the outcome of their home game against relegated Bradford later in the day.

For Wigan and Sunderland, the lottery of the play-offs beckon after a game of fluctuating fortunes, in which neither side did enough to deserve three points although the Latics were marginally the better side.

But despite have previously lost three games on the bounce, the Black Cats began brightly and midfielder Jeff Whitley fashioned the best chance of the opening exchanges.

Kevin Kyle's precise delivery from the left flank found Whitley, whose left-footed drive from 10 yards was goalbound, but well parried by goalkeeper John Filan.

Wigan slowly gained a foothold in the contest and Gary Teale's snap-shot, after Mart Poom had fended off Jason Roberts' close-range effort, fizzed inches wide of the target.

Teale's strike aside, Sunderland remained the more potent attacking force and Marcus Stewart squandered a gilt-edged chance shortly afterwards.

Kyle was again the provider with a deft through-ball to the former Ipswich striker, who breezed past two defenders, but took an age to pull the trigger which enabled Leighton Baines to pull off a smart saving tackle eight yards from goal.

Although Sunderland were looking good, Wigan possess such a plethora of attacking options that they will always cause problems for opposing sides.

So it proved as Jimmy Bullard and Nathan Ellington both went close in quick succession, with the former somewhat unfortunate to see his fierce half-volley from the edge of the penalty area rocket just over the crossbar.

Wigan remained in the ascendancy in the second period and Roberts spurned a golden chance after 56 minutes.

A hopeful ball into the Sunderland penalty area found the imposing striker who chested the ball over the onrushing Poom but could not beat Gary Breen who scurried back to clear his lines with admirable composure.

Sunderland refused to buckle under Wigan pressure and Filan had to be alert to save John Oster's well-flighted 25 free-kick low to his left.

As the game progressed, chances on goal diminished, although Sunderland substitute Darren Williams - who replaced the ineffectual Tommy Smith - carved out a neat one-two with Oster, but could not produce the end product after scuffing the ball straight at Filan.

Wigan striker Nathan Ellington was unusually subdued by his high standards and a disappointing individual display was exacerbated after Roberts bustled past Phil Babb and Joachim Bjorklund before unleashing a thumping strike across the face of goal.

Poom saved well, but could only deflect the ball to Ellington who somehow missed the target four yards from goal.

The Estonia international goalkeeper also had to be on his toes five minute from time to tip Teale's fierce drive over the crossbar to deny Wigan victory.

Teams

Wigan Filan, Eaden, Breckin, De Vos, Baines, Teale, Jarrett, Bullard, Mahon (McCulloch 71), Ellington, Jason Roberts.

Subs Not Used: Walsh, Mitchell, Farrelly, Liddell.

Booked: Breckin.

Sunderland Poom, Wright (Williams 40), Breen, Bjorklund, Babb, Oster, McAteer, Whitley, Tommy Smith (Robinson 66), Kyle, Stewart (Byfield 89).

Subs Not Used: Thornton, Myhre.

Booked: Tommy Smith, Wright.

Att: 11,380

Ref: P Crossley (Kent).