MICK McCARTHY last night warned Division One's top two that Sunderland will not let up in their quest for an automatic promotion spot.

A 3-0 victory over Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light yesterday has kept hopes alive that the Black Cats can go up without the need of a play-off battle in May.

Sunderland go to top six rivals Ipswich Town on Monday, as McCarthy's men look to secure their third successive league win since losing to Millwall in the FA Cup semi-final.

But, despite looking like the only side capable of catching pace-setters Norwich and West Brom, McCarthy insists he would still rather be in one of those automatic places.

"If we keep trying to win the games in front of us and we do then who knows," said the Sunderland chief, who knows the Baggies and the Canaries have to visit Wearside. "All we can do is keep playing. We have an opportunity to catch them and we will keep going.

"The target we set beforehand, at the start of the season, was a play-off spot. As it has materialised we have realised we are just as good as any other team in the league.

"Our position has been down to circumstances. Having games called off, an FA Cup run and dropping some points when we should not have done. We are doing alright. We can't go into the play-offs, if that's where we are, disappointed. That will be a good achievement.

"I would swop places with the two teams above us and have that pressure. We are doing our jobs properly and picking up points, that's all we can do.

"We have seen what it's like here when the big teams come. We have a great atmosphere and they won't relish trips to the Stadium of Light."

Following the heartache of losing to the Lions at Old Trafford last Sunday, McCarthy has been delighted with the way his squad have reacted to their frustrations.

The Black Cats, who followed up Tuesday's success over Wimbledon with an impressive win over United, have shown no signs of deflation.

And McCarthy said: "I thought we played well. We have had some good games this season and that was a good performance.

"It was a tricky week for us. Winning the semi could have been the catalyst for the season, while losing could have had a bad effect. But, instead, losing has galvanised our squad.

"It was a time for us to be men in midweek. The reaction on Tuesday was very good, very professional. Not dwelling on a tough weekend. Then this was a good performance."

McCarthy, like at Milton Keynes, made a number of alterations to the side which beat Wimbledon. And he reserved special praise for on-loan midfielder Carl Robinson.

He said: "It's been a balancing act. The changes I made have worked. Carl has been excellent. The lads up front have been fantastic. They have all stuck together and they have accepted the reasons why they have been left out."

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock, whose side have lost three consecutive matches, criticised his players' shambolic defending for gifting Sunderland the three points.

Warnock was annoyed by the way Tommy Smith was allowed to turn in the opening goal and he also slammed Phil Jagielka's poor marking which allowed Gary Breen to head in his side's second.

But he is convinced that the Blades, who have won just one of their last six matches, will be able to respond in the best possible manner.

He said: "It was not a three-nil game, no way. We gave them a goal early doors which was bad defensively.

"We regrouped and then it was once again suicidal. It was schoolboy defending. After that it was damage limitation. We are feeling sorry for ourselves at the moment.

"We felt we could have got something here. Others didn't but we did. But I have no complaints. People are writing us off but that's when we are at our best."

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