BLACK CATS PASS THEIR TYKES TEST
SUNDERLAND underlined their promotion credentials with an impressive 4-2 victory against Barnsley – to the delight of manager Jack Ross. The Black Cats raced into a three-goal lead with little over half an hour gone at the Stadium of Light, courtesy of Aiden McGeady (pen), Josh Maja and Lynden Gooch. But the visiting Tykes, who were a place behind Sunderland in third before the start of play, hit back. Kieffer Moore struck twice (41, 61 mins) to put the game back in the melting pot before Luke O’Nien finally ensured victory seven minutes from time. Ross said: “It was a test – and to come through it as we did strengthens the belief.” Despite their victory, the north-east outfit remain four points behind leaders Portsmouth. Kenny Jackett’s Pompey bagged another three points with a solid 2-0 home win against Walsall, Oli Hawkins and Ronan Curtis netting. On-song Luton, who were promoted from League Two last term, are up to third following a thumping 4-0 victory against basement side Bradford at Kenilworth Road. The Hatters did the bulk of the damage in a ten-minute spell in the first half. James Justin (28 mins) and Ellliot Lee (33 and 38) struck before Harry Cornick put the icing on the cake in the 89th minute. Peterborough climbed a rung to fourth with a hardfought 1-0 home win against AFC Wimbledon, Marcus Maddison’s 25-yard effort proving the difference. Charlton cemented their place in the top six with a 2-1 success at Burton. After a Lucas Akins penalty for Burton was cancelled out by a Karlan Ahearne-Grant spot-kick for the Addicks in the first half, it appeared the spoils were going to be shared. However, skipper Jason Pearce headed home an 88th-minute winner to make it four league wins on the spin. Doncaster leapfrogged Blackpool into seventh with a 2-0 victory at the Keepmoat thanks to goals from the influential Herbie Kane, with a long-range screamer, and John Marquis. Coventry slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Joey Barton’s Fleetwood. Dean Marney, Wes Burns and Ched Evans bagged the goals as the Cod Army roared to victory. Wycombe pulled off an impressive 2-1 victory at Accrington Stanley, Alex Samuel notching a last-minute winner for the Chairboys. Other results: Bristol R 1 Gillingham 2; Oxford 4 Rochdale 2; Shrewsbury 2 Plymouth 0; Southend 2 Scunthorpe 0.