BURNLEY almost staged a second consecutive away day comeback, but remain reliant on results elsewhere to keep their Premier League survival hopes alive.

The Clarets were much improved on a first-half in which the Black Cats could comfortably have had more than the 2-0 lead that goals from Fraizer Campbell and top scorer Darren Bent provided.

Half-time substitute Steven Thompson got Burnley back in it with eight minutes to go - Robbie Blake claiming the assist seconds after replacing the lively Jack Cork.

But time ran out and the Clarets were consigned to a 16th loss of the season on their travels.

Brian Laws' men struggled to make an impact with Steven Fletcher operating as a lone striker in the opening 45 minutes and Campbell slid in to meet Alan Hutton's right wing cross and break the deadlock on 25 minutes.

Sunderland applied sustained pressure and Campbell turned provider for England World Cup hopeful Bent to add what proved to be the decisive goal four minutes before the break.

Burnley replaced Martin Paterson with Steven Thompson at half-time to change from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2, and they looked better and brighter for it.

Thompson rolled a low shot beyond Craig Gordon eight minutes from time after benefiting from fellow substitute Blake's first contribution.

But further opportunities were squandered.