The Black Cats remain firmly rooted at the foot of the Premiership and still await that elusive first home win of the season, but manager Mick McCarthy can take heart from the all-out effort of his players.
They battled to the end and but for a brilliant save by Jussi Jaaskelainen in the third minute of injury time from Julio Arca would have made the best possible start to the hectic festive season programme.
Sunderland were without suspended full-back Nyron Nosworthy, Danny Collins taking over, while Jonathan Stead was preferred to Anthony Le Tallec in attack.
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce made six changes to the side that won 4-0 at Everton last time out. Nicky Hunt, Ricardo Gardner, Martin Djetou, Ricardo Vaz Te, Tal Ben Haim and Khalilou Fadiga coming in for Joey O'Brien, Radhi Jaidi, Kevin Nolan, Jay-Jay Okocha, Abdoulaye Faye and Stelios Giannakopoulos.
The sweeping changes had little effect in Bolton's movement both on and off the ball as they called in the tune in the bitterly cold and wet conditions. But the home side stuck to their task in a combative first half that saw the Trotters play almost five minutes with only nine players.
Bruno N'Gotty and Ben Haim were involved in a clash of heads and both disappeared down the tunnel for treatment, both resuming none the worse for the experience.
Even then Sunderland had to play second fiddle with skipper Gary Breen almost scoring through his own goal and goalkeeper Kelvin Davis saving superbly from Fadiga, one of three Bolton players booked in the opening period.
Fadiga had come close to scoring after just three minutes when Davis dropped a left-wing corner, but Sunderland had their brighter moments too.
Steve Caldwell had a close-range header blocked and Stead lobbed wide of the goal with Jaaskelainen stranded. Stead then failed to pick out the unmarked Arca who had raced clear, but it was just as close at the other end when Fadiga shot towards an unguarded net.
Jaaskelainen saved well from a Dean Whitehead free-kick as the Black Cats finished the half strongly and both Stead and Whitehead went close in an encouraging start to the second period.
Davis saved bravely at the feet of El Hadji Diouf and Stelious was just too high at the other end in an end to end affair not lacking the odd fierce tackle here and there to warm the hearts of the fans who braved the elements.
Diouf, however, missed the chance of the match in the 71st minute. Gary Speed pulled the back from the byline only for Diouf to fire high and wide with the goal at his mercy.
Arca flashed a free-kick across the face of goal just before the end, but reserved his best for deep into time added on only to be denied by the athletic Jaaskelainen.