Late strip show from Ross

For the second game running Sunderland left it very late to reap the rewards of their endless pressure as they defeated bottom-of-the-table Hull with an injury time goal from Ross Wallace.

The Scottish winger was then sent off for a second bookable offence after removing his shirt during his exuberant celebrations – the second time he has been punished for this offence, and his second red card of the season.

It means Sunderland will be without their most creative and dynamic player for the visit of Cardiff on Tuesday night, and after this performance, he will be a great loss.

Along with Dwight Yorke, Wallace was Sunderland’s most threatening player, and came to the rescue after Sunderland’s strikeforce – Chris Brown, Daryl Murphy and later David Connolly – were guilty of missing several fine chances to put Sunderland ahead.

Darren Ward, although again solid throughout, had no saves to make and had Sunderland not nicked it at the death a draw would have pleased Hull a lot more than it would Sunderland.

As it was, further perserverance from Roy Keane’s men paid off, as at home to Barsnley, and a good result on Tuesday will see Sunderland beginning a badly needed run and be considered a genuine promotion threat.