Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson fumbles the ball into his own net to give Hull City the lead at the Stadium of Light
Anthony Patterson's error ended Sunderland's unbeaten home record to dent their Championship promotion hopes and handed Hull City a vital three points in their fight against relegation.
The Black Cats goalkeeper, criticised for his part in Leeds United's late winning goal on Monday, fumbled a Joe Gelhardt corner into his own net to make it two successive defeats for the home side, for the first time this season.
The resurgent Tigers, who have won four of their past five away games, were resolute and disciplined in defence and dangerous on the counter-attack and, but for two vital Patterson saves, might have extended their lead.
Fourth-placed Sunderland failed to come up with the response that head coach Regis le Bris had requested after their late defeat at Elland Road, with Wilson Isidor and Jobe Bellingham both missing big headed chances.
Defeat leaves the Wearsiders eight points behind Sheffield United, who occupy the second automatic promotion spot but face table-topping Leeds on Monday.
The Tigers began brightly but they were indebted to Patterson's blunder to go ahead in the 18th minute.
Gelhardt's inswinging corner from the right was not reaching any team-mates, but with Patrick Roberts obstructing him at the near post, Patterson tried to catch the ball only to divert it over the line.
Gelhardt tried his luck from another corner on the same side and Patterson this time clawed the ball up in the air, a defender clearing as it dropped inside the six-yard box.
Luke O'Nien had a headed goal ruled out for offside and Hull keeper Ivor Pandur was as unconvincing as his opposite number when Roberts tried his own luck with an inswinging corner, but the Croatian managed to flap the ball away from goal.
The visitors were hit by the loss of on-loan Aston Villa striker Louie Barry before half-time, but Sunderland suffered their own double blow as Enzo le Fee was forced off at the break with a hamstring tweak and then defender Dan Ballard limped off too.
Ballard's injury occurred as he stretched for a vital block during another rapid Hull counter, an attack which ended with Steven Alzate fizzing a shot just wide.
Trai Hume proved to be Sunderland's best bet for an equaliser as the Black Cats sought to crank up the pressure on a resolute defence, but his two excellent crosses saw Isidor and Bellingham both head wide, and when Hume tried his own luck with a shot, Pandur was firmly behind it.
Matt Crooks had a slick backheeled finish to another scintillating counter ruled out for offside, and Patterson was forced into a fine save to keep out Lincoln's deflected cross, while at the other end the Black Cats could find no way through.
Hull 'showed character in possession' - reaction
Sunderland head coach Regis le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle:
"It's a shame because in these types of games silly mistakes can change things. For sure, we have to think about these mistakes because we have to improve our game. It's not like a coincidence.
"The energy of the team was good and positive and they tried to start the game properly but the own goal changed the dynamic of the game because the opponent used a low, compact block and it was a different problem.
"It's the 34th game, the season is long and we have a short squad so we can understand that we have a low point in our dynamic. The game wasn't horrible but it wasn't the best performance so far.
(On Le Fee injury): "It seems like a hamstring but we will have to see tomorrow."
Hull City head coach Ruben Selles told BBC Radio Humberside:
"It was a good performance from the team against a really good opponent away from home. It's always difficult - they have pace and are energetic but the team showed character in possession and in the last 10 minutes when we had to defend the box we did it properly.
"I'm happy but I just put it into the dressing room now that we cannot allow ourselves one of those moments where we win one game and then don't perform in the way that we should.
"It's three days [until Cardiff away] so we need to recover and be ready to go and get three points.
"It's important against a really good opponent that you try to apply the pressure as high as possible and keep them away from your goal and win balls for your own transition [and we did that well]."
Selles on Hull City's win at Sunderland
