Dudley "DJ" Campbell was the FA Cup hero as Brentford knocked out Barclays Premiership strugglers Sunderland at Griffin Park.

Campbell opened the scoring early in the second half only for Julio Arca to level, before the Bees striker snatched victory with two minutes remaining.

Bottom of the top flight, Mick McCarthy's men were second best throughout while Martin Allen's side showed why they are candidates for promotion from League One this season.

The Bees may be more than £6million in debt but the money lost by missing out on replay will not matter a jot to chairman Greg Dyke, with Allen assembling an organised outfit.

In truth, they were helped by Sunderland. Kevin Kyle returned from his hip injury and started his first game since 2004, pairing Jon Stead in a fruitless attacking line-up which was scrapped by boss Mick McCarthy after an hour.

Kyle's lack of sharpness, coupled with Stead's goal drought since he arrived at the club, played some part in Sam Sodje shining at the heart of the Bees defence.

In comparison, Campbell was outstanding for Brentford, scaring the Black Cats defence with his pace and directness.

In the fourth minute Campbell, who played for non-league Yeading last year against Newcastle in the competition, latched onto a Sam Tillen ball and was in the area with his back to goal - only for Danny Collins to step in.

A minute later Brentford had their first sight of goal. Campbell's neat flick found skipper Ricky Newman, who in turn played the ball to the edge of the area where Isaiah Rankin shot just wide.

Sunderland appeared to lack confidence at the back, with Neill Collins booked after 12 minutes for deliberate handball when the ball bounced over him.

Their insipid opening was characterised by Dean Whitehead's pass in his own area which went out of play - with no team-mate within 20 yards.

Despite this Whitehead was the visitors' most threatening player, forcing Stuart Nelson into two first-half saves from volleys - the second a magnificent low stop - but it was Brentford who looked likely to break the deadlock.

Campbell volleyed over after Jay Tabb had burst into the area and crossed, while the busy Tillen went close midway through the first half.

The midfielder collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled his shot towards the bottom corner but the effort lacked power and Kelvin Davis saved.

Sodje was then found in the area from a set piece on the half-hour mark, but he could not direct his header.

The hosts continued to press from the start of the second period, with Sunderland failing to clear the ball and Campbell flashing a volley wide when presented with a glorious chance to open the scoring.

Tabb's corner after 47 minutes was powerfully headed over by Sodje as Allen's side scented an upset.

Sunderland responded with Liam Lawrence volleying over in a promising position after a flick from Stead, but the midfielder's shot looped over the bar.

Campbell shot over after showing trickery on the edge of the area but Sunderland in turn went close through Tommy Miller, who was inches away from connecting with a cross.

After 52 minutes Sodje went on an exciting attacking run, passing two players with step-overs before having a tame penalty appeal turned down by referee Mark Halsey as Whitehead shielded the ball out.

Two minutes later Stead should have opened the scoring with a header after Arca crossed, but the striker's finish lacked conviction and drifted wide.

But Campbell opened the scoring the 56th minute, nicking the ball past Gary Breen before rounding Davis and finishing. The majority of the 11,698 crowd were in raptures.

Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy responded by taking off Stead and Kyle for Anthony Le Tallec and Andy Gray after an hour, and the visitors soon had their reward.

Arca had already tried his luck with a chip from the edge of the area only for Andy Frampton to deflect wide, but the Argentinian winger was not made to wait long.

With no apparent danger on the left flank in the 65th minute, Arca's clipped effort found its way over Nelson and into the net, although it remained unclear if it was meant to be a cross or shot.

Tillen was replaced 18 minutes left by Paul Brooker, while Rankin was taken off for Eddie Hutchinson - but it was Campbell who won it, breezing into the area in the 89th minute and finishing sweetly past Davis.

Teams:

Brentford Nelson, Frampton, Sodje, Turner,Tillen (Brooker 73), Rankin (Hutchinson 82), Newman, Campbell,Tabb, Mousinho, Owusu.

Subs Not Used: Bankole, Fitzgerald, Gayle.

Goals: Campbell 57, 89.

Sunderland Davis, Hoyte, Breen, Neill Collins, Danny Collins,Lawrence, Whitehead, Miller, Arca, Kyle (Gray 61),Stead (Le Tallec 61).

Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Nosworthy, Bassila.

Booked: Neill Collins.

Goals: Arca 66.

Att: 11,698

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).