Sunderland stepped up the pressure for an automatic promotion place after a hard-earned victory over struggling Gillingham at the Stadium Of Light.
The Black Cats had Darren Byfield to thank for a second victory in 72 hours, the recent signing from Rotherham proving his worth by scoring in his third game in a row.
Sunderland failed to build on an early lead but were never in trouble until conceding a soft equaliser.
Jeff Whitley fired just over and John Oster had an angled drive well-saved by Steve Banks.
Sunderland however kept up the pressure and went ahead in the 12th minute when Sean Thornton beat Banks with a sweetly struck 22-yard free-kick after Byfield had been fouled.
The Gills were forced to defend in numbers but on 27 minutes they were on level terms with the home defence all at sea.
A right-wing centre by Nicky Southall should have been cleared but, with keeper Mart Poom rooted to his line after Mamady Sidibe had flicked on, Patrick Agyemang bundled the ball over the line.
Sunderland lost Stephen Wright in the 33rd minute but they continued to push forward with Banks saving well from Whitley who also went close with another couple of powerful drives.
Manager Mick McCarthy was forced to make a further change at the start of the second half, Tommy Smith replacing the injured Kevin Kyle, but the change paid off.
Smith did well on the left to bring in Byfield who left two defenders trailing in his wake before beating Banks with a low drive to restore the lead after 53 minutes.
Only the woodwork came to the visitors' rescue four minutes later, as substitute Darren Williams latched on to a loose ball from Oster's corner and Alan Pouton headed against the underside of his own bar.
Paul Thirlwell missed a great chance to increase the lead and when Gillingham player-boss Andy Hessenthaler came on after 69 minutes in an effort to step up his side's efforts, it made little difference as Sunderland continued to have the better of the exchanges.