Wright's strike puts seal on Sunderland triumph

Sunderland beat Watford 2-0 at the Stadium of Light yesterday to claim their second successive First Division win after a run of 17 League defeats.

The Black Cats avoided equalling Darwen's 104-year-old record for consecutive losses by defeating Preston at the weekend and Marcus Stewart put them ahead with a 40th-minute penalty yesterday after he was tripped by Marcus Gayle.

The second goal came in the 67th minute when Stewart crossed from the left and the full-back Stephen Wright arrived late to fire home his first goal in Sunderland colours and provide the Black Cats with their first home League win in more than eight months.

The defeat for Watford left them bottom as Burnley - who had previously occupied 24th spot - won 3-0 at Gillingham. The Clarets scored two in three minutes, first through Ian Moore in the 27th minute. Dean West then side-footed a second from Luke Chadwick's cross. Robbie Blake added a third with 13 minutes remaining. Burnley had lost their previous three matches and ended Gillingham's unbeaten start to the season.

Rotherham claimed a point with a goalless draw at Reading. Ronnie Moore's side survived a first-half penalty scare when Nicky Forster appeared to be tripped by Chris Swailes. The Royals' goalkeeper, Marcus Hahnemann, then had to make a smart stop to deny John Mullin a late winner for the visitors.

Alan Lee scored his first goal in Cardiff City colours as 10-man Derby were swept aside 4-1 at Ninian Park. Lee's strike and a Graham Kavanagh penalty gave the Bluebirds a two-goal lead at the break. Further goals from Robert Earnshaw and James Collins put the game out of Derby's reach after Mathias Svensson had given the Rams hope with a 48th-minute effort.

Derby were not helped seconds before the half-time whistle, when Alves Candido Costa inexplicably kicked out at Richard Langley with the Cardiff midfielder shielding the ball near the corner flag. The Rams midfielder was shown a straight red card.

Barnsley went top of the Second Division with a 2-0 win at Blackpool. The Tykes opened the scoring through Rory Fallon in the 29th minute before Chris Lumsdon added the second after 50 minutes.

Wrexham are up to second after a 3-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Oxford leapt to the top of the Third Division with three late goals against the previous leaders, Swansea City, at the Kassam Stadium. Andy Crosby netted from the penalty spot in the 85th minute. Julian Alsop added a second within a minute and Mark Rawle put an extra gloss on the result with a third in the 89th minute.