Sunderland manager Peter Reid hailed his side's return to form after a 2-0 home win over Swindon maintained their seven-point lead at the top of the first division.
It looked as though the
Wearsiders' bubble may have burst after three straight defeats, but Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips struck to wrap up victory in front of 41,304 at the Stadium of Light.
''It's all about results but I was very pleased with the way we played as well,'' said Reid, who dismissed rumours of a rift with record signing Lee Clark. ''Some of the passing and movement was excellent and it's the best we've played for a long time.''
The win was crucial, with the chasing pack of Bradford, Bolton, and Ipswich all winning, but Bolton manager Colin Todd is confident that Sunderland will not have it all their own way.
''I think we have the know-how and the experience in the side and we believe we can catch Sunderland,'' said Todd after Dean Holdsworth's winner at Grimsby. ''Two months ago, no-one would have given us a chance but now we have the incentive with us being on such a good run.''
Bolton are third, a point behind Bradford, who secured a 2-0 home win over Watford through Lee Mills and former Rangers midfielder Stuart McCall, with Ipswich fourth following a 3-0 win at struggling Bury.
Crewe remain well adrift at the bottom of the table after throwing away a two-goal lead at Barnsley, the Tykes grabbing a 2-2 draw after trailing 2-0 with just 20 minutes left.
The tribute by Port Vale fans to former manager John Rudge inspired their side to a 2-0 win over Huddersfield, while Oxford earned a point at Wolves, ex-Aberdeen striker Dean Windass equalising after Robbie Keane's opener.
Preston missed out on a chance to narrow the gap on pace-setters Fulham in the second division, Kurt Nogan salvaging a point at Deepdale against Bristol Rovers.
Fulham also had to come from behind at Wycombe, Kit Symons equalising after Andrew Baird had opened the scoring on new manager Lawrie Sanchez's first day in charge.
Walsall moved closer to the top two with a 1-0 win at Reading but former leaders Stoke lost 4-0 at Bournemouth. Bottom-placed Macclesfield's woes continued with a home loss to Wrexham leaving them three points adrift of Wycombe and Lincoln, who went down 2-0 at Oldham.
In the third division,
Cambridge's 5-0 defeat of Scarborough narrowed the gap on leaders Cardiff and condemned the Yorkshire side to bottom spot.
Cardiff could manage only a 1-1 draw at Plymouth while Scunthorpe missed the opportunity to cut the gap as they went down 1-0 at Torquay.
Hull's surprise 2-0 win at
promotion contenders Brentford, courtesy of goals from debutant Colin Alcide and David Brown, lifted them above Scarborough at the foot of the table, seven points behind Carlisle, who drew at home to Leyton Orient.
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