MARCUS STEWART hailed his side's character after bouncing back in style last weekend following a miserable festive period.

Stewart was the Black Cats' match winning hero in Saturday's thrilling FA Cup victory against Crystal Palace at the Stadium on Light, when he rolled a cheeky penalty straight down the middle of Gabor Kiraly's goal.

The 60th minute strike was enough to book Sunderland's place in the next round of the competition against high-flying Everton at Goodison Park.

It was the second time Stewart had come to his team's rescue in four games after netting an injury-time winner at Nottingham Forest in between Christmas and new year.

"I was delighted with the performance against Palace," said the 32-year-old striker. "We'd hit a dip over Christmas, but against Palace we looked like the Premiership team.

"We have tremendous character in this side and it's not the first time we've bounced back from a poor result.

"Even when we were playing badly over Christmas you could see the character. We got a last minute winner at Nottingham Forest. Even at Preston, when we were 3-0 down at half-time and were awful in the first half, we pulled it back to 2-0, and with a bit of luck, could have equalised."

Stewart was full of praise for Mick McCarthy's young guns after last weekend's FA Cup triumph.

The former Ipswich and Huddersfield Town frontman admitted the Black Cats' youngsters had not only played an enormous part in the Wearsiders' progress to the next round of the FA Cup, but in the club's renaissance as a whole.

"I think the young lads who have come into the side have done very well indeed," he acknowledged. "But there is more to come from them, I'm certain of that.

"This is their first season at this level and it has been a big leap from them. Not that you would have noticed really.

"Dean Whitehead has played in virtually every game this season. Neill Collins has been excellent when he has come into the side and Liam Lawrence has also had an impact.

"But they are still learning about football at this level. They are eager to learn and get better and I'm sure they will.

"They are quality players and, physically and mentally, they have done very well this season. Hopefully they will get even better as the season goes on."

Stewart started the new Championship season with a bang and netted six goals in the within the first eight games, before a goal drought of 16 games set in.

Calls for Stewart to be dropped were initially ignored by the Sunderland manager due to the striker's overall contribution to the team effort - until recently.

The experienced striker revealed the rest was just what the doctor ordered and believes his form since being handed a recall is better for it.

He said: "I'm very happy with my form. I missed two or three games and I think that was exactly what I needed.

"I couldn't have any complaints. I hadn't scored in a while and it was only right that somebody else was given a chance.

"But I've come back refreshed and I've got a couple of goals, which, at the end of the day, is how every striker is judged.

"There are four strikers fit and looking for a place in the side. It's about all of us, not individuals. All we want to do is get the club promoted.

"If I'm not in the side, I'll support whoever is and it is the same for the other guys as well."