Kevin Kilbane put Sunderland back on the road to Europe by grabbing the winner eight minutes from time.

He could not have timed his first Premiership goal better with Wimbledon on course to gaining a precious point.

But while Sunderland climbed to sixth spot, the visitors slumped to their fourth successive defeat and are not yet out of danger.

Niall Quinn opened the scoring for Sunderland with his 13th of the season, only for Michael Hughes to get the equaliser, his shot taking a deflection off Eric Roy.

Michael Gray returned to the Sunderland side with Nicky Summerbee relegated to the bench.

Herman Hreidarasson was recalled to the Wimbledon team following a four-game absence following a knee operation.

Sunderland opened brightly and Gray slipped the ball through to Jody Craddock in the third minute.

However he was at full stretch and Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan was able to take it comfortably.

Quinn tried to pick out Roy with a long ball from the left, only for Kenny Cunningham to divert it to safety.

Kevin Phillips, anxious to improve his England prospects then saw a shot from the edge of the area drift wide of the post.

Wimbledon's best option seemed to be Walid Badir and he posed a threat in the first half by finding a lot of space.

He saw a shot taken spectacularly by Thomas Sorensen and then had another effort sting the keeper's hands.

Wimbledon's Duncan Jupp picked up the first yellow card of the game for a challenge on Alex Rae in the 35th minute.

Sunderland stepped up the pace before the break and Sullivan had to look alert again when Quinn powered in a header following a cross from Phillips.

Quinn then re-paid the compliment a few minutes later with Phillips' effort drifting wide of the post.

Badir was causing Sunderland problems, however, and found the side netting after Marcus Gayle had played the ball across.

Wimbledon began the second half in positive fashion and Cunningham was unlucky to see his effort go over the top after a free-kick from Michael Hughes had come back off the wall.

Sunderland, however, stepped up a gear and made the breakthrough in the 56th minute.

The industrious Rae delivered a fine cross from the right and Quinn spun quickly in the area to send a fierce shot beyond Sullivan.

That goal stung Wimbledon into action and a 20-yard free-kick from Hughes drifted just wide of the target.

Then Andreas Lund dragged the ball wide in a good position, only for his effort to be ruled for offside anyway.

Wimbledon drew level in bizarre fashion in the 73rd minute when a shot from Hughes took a wicked deflection off Sunderland's Roy, leaving keeper Sorensen stranded.

But their joy at equalising last only nine minutes when Kilbane restored Sunderland's advantage.

He found himself unmarked and made no mistake after Quinn had played the ball across the face of the area following a corner from Rae.

Now Sunderland are dreaming of a place in the UEFA Cup after just one season in the Premiership.

Teams:

Sunderland: Sorensen, Holloway, Craddock, Williams, Makin, Gray (Nunez 75), Rae, Roy (Thirlwell 86), Kilbane, Quinn, Phillips.

Subs Not Used: Marriott, Dichio, Summerbee.

Goals: Quinn 54, Kilbane 82.

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Blackwell, Andersen, Hreidarsson, Jupp, Hughes, Badir (Leaburn 83), Euell, Gayle, Lund.

Subs Not Used: Davis, Francis, Andresen, Roberts.

Booked: Jupp, Euell.

Goals: Hughes 73.

Att: 41,592

Ref: G Barber (Tring).