Sunderland wrapped up the First Division title in style tonight as the Wearsiders' Premiership promotion party went into in full swing at Oakwell.

There was to be no gate-crashing act from Barnsley, who just 23 months ago celebrated clinching their own top-flight status for the first time in the club's history.

For yo-yo Sunderland, this was the second time in four seasons they had deservedly earned the Division One crown - and they remain on a record-breaking course in the process.

Peter Reid's side needed just a point to guarantee themselves the silverware, but after picking up all three, are now just two short of becoming the first Division One team to top 100 points.

This was also a case of sweet revenge as Barnsley are the only side this season to have beaten Sunderland in the league at the Stadium of Light.

Their 3-2 victory in mid-November bore witness to a unique 'hat-trick' that day as former Tykes striker Ashley Ward scored once, missed a penalty and was sent-off in the space of five minutes.

There was no such drama on this occasion, just three perfectly placed finishes, and 2,500 all-singing, all-dancing Sunderland supporters.

Several 'aliens' also made an appearance at The Kop end, along with a few beach balls, and once Nicky Summerbee opened the scoring just before half-time, many madcap fans decided to strip off on a bitterly cold mid-April night.

It was all in the name of fun as an almost non-stop rendition of their latest tune reverberated around the ground, which increased in intensity at the sight of the three goals.

'We're on our way, we're in the Premier and we're on our way', were the truthful words, and so it proved despite a late scare.

Sunderland should have been on their way as early as the fourth minute as hot-shot Kevin Phillips tried to start off where he had finished against Bury in midweek.

Phillips took his tally to 22 for the season that night with a four-goal super show in a 5-2 win which guaranteed promotion back to the top flight.

Phillips used his fearsome pace to streak away from the Barnsley defence as he ran on to a through ball, but with only Bullock to beat, his side-footed finish just shaved the right-hand post.

The bravery of Bullock kept Sunderland at bay 10 minutes later when Lee Clark burst into the area following Phillips' threaded pass, only for the Sunderland midfielder to be denied by the face of the keeper.

Andy Melville also saw a half-volley flash narrowly wide in the 26th minute, while Bullock again superbly blocked from Summerbee just moments before he broke the deadlock with his third of the season.

Michael Gray's cross was flicked on by Niall Quinn for the former Manchester City winger to slide the ball home underneath the advancing Bullock.

The visitors then went for the jugular after the break with Ball, Summerbee and Phillips all going close before Lee Clark finally made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute with another low shot beyond Bullock.

Mike Sheron gave the Tykes hope with an 86th minute first-time finish from Craig Hignett's corner, but as they went in search of the equaliser, Phillips struck.

The goal of the game and Phillips' 23rd of the season came via a stunning 18-yard right-foot curler into the top left-hand corner - and that really did kick-start the celebrations.

At the end of the match the players came out to join in celebrations with their fans as the song 'We Are The Champions' was blasted out over the PA system.

Teams

Barnsley: T. Bullock, Eaden, De Zeeuw, Richardson (Van Der Laan 90), Moses, Jones, Cuesta (M. Bullock 90), Hignett, Sheron, Dyer, Sheridan (Tinkler 46).

Goals: Sheron 86.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Gray, Ball, Melville, Butler, Summerbee, Clark, Quinn, Phillips, Johnston.

Subs Not Used: Craddock, Holloway, Dichio.

Goals: Summerbee 45, Clark 63, Phillips 90.

Att: 17,390

Ref: P Danson (Leicester).

Sunderland are crowned Nationwide One champions.