STOKE, England - Sunderland failed to take advantage of scoring after 59 seconds by drawing 1-1 at Stoke to drop into the Premier League's relegation zone on Saturday.

Connor Wickham pounced on an error by Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to put Sunderland ahead inside the first minute at Britannia Stadium.

Stoke equalized in the 27th minute as Charlie Adam cracked home a powerful shot, moments after Jermain Defoe had spurned a fine chance for Sunderland.

Sunderland was overtaken by Hull and Leicester, who both won on Saturday, and is one point adrift of safety with five games left.

Adam Johnson wasn't part of Sunderland's squad of 18 players for the match, two days after being charged with three offences of sexual activity with a 15-year-old and one of grooming.