AFTER finally laying to rest the threat of becoming the new holders of an unwanted record, Sunderland set about a new task yesterday: starting to put the record straight.

Wins have been few and far between at the Stadium of Light for the Wearside faithful but one finally came in the shape of a 2-0 Bank Holiday Monday victory over Watford.

As well as going close to equalling Darwen's 18-match losing record run set in 1898-99, it had been 11 League games since Sunderland last won on home soil - a spell going all the way back to the surprise victory over Liverpool on December 15, 2002.

That day Messrs Wilkinson and Cotterrill were at the helm, but now it is McCarthy's time in charge.

Coupled with Saturday's win over Preston, the win over Watford was the first time the former Ireland boss has enjoyed back to back victories while in charge at Sunderland - in fact it is the first time the club have achieved such a feat since Christmas 2001.

Where McCarthy takes Sunderland from here only time will tell, but after finally claiming three points in front of his own supporters there are more encouraging signs for the boss.

On the basis of Watford's display yesterday, Ray Lewington's side will struggle in the First Division.

And after goals from Marcus Stewart, his second in three days, and Stephen Wright, his first for the club, Watford are still searching for their first point and first goal of the new campaign as they prop up the table.

For McCarthy it was frustrating not to be able to field the same11 players that broke that incredible duck at Deepdale, but those who played did him proud.

Young centre-back Ben Clark, who broke his nose against North End, was replaced by George McCartney and the other change was that John Oster came in for Matthew Piper.

But Kevin Kyle kept his place in the Sunderland attack, alongside the rejuvenated Stewart, despite having stitches in a head wound sustained on Saturday.

There was a typically nervous start from Sunderland and chances were a rarity for both sides and, with the vast number of empty red seats, the 23,600 crowd struggled to have an influence on proceedings.

In the opening 25 minutes, neither goalkeeper was forced to make a save.

The best early Sunderland chances fell to Kyle, but the Scotland international failed to find the net on three occasions.

First his weak header from Julio Arca's cross flew high over the bar and then he could only turn Wright's centre wide of the target.

But it was his effort on 26 minutes that very nearly put Sunderland ahead.

Arca, again playing in his favoured left-back role, pulled the ball back from the by-line and Kyle's shot on the turn had to be expertly tipped over by an ex-Roker Park hero Alec Chamberlain.

That signalled the start of a promising spell of possession for Sunderland but, after forcing four successive corners, Watford cleared their lines.

The Hornets, who knocked their opponents out of the FA Cup in February, were lacklustre to say the least. As a result, the home side always seemed the more likely to break the deadlock.

And the crucial first goal came six minutes before half-time, albeit in a controversial manner.

With the ball loose, stand-in skipper Paul Thirlwell poked the ball beyond Watford's Marcus Gayle on the edge of the area.

Centre-back Gayle, a former centre-forward at Wimbledon and Rangers, caught the young midfielder with his trailing leg and he hit the floor.

It was a typical striker's challenge and referee Andy Hall pointed to the spot, although the official could quite easily have given a free-kick because of the positioning of the incident.

But if there were doubts about the decision, Stewart made no mistake from the spot when he struck powerfully to Chamberlain's right.

There was a sudden sense of relief among the crowd and they very nearly had a double goal cushion to take into the second half. But the lively Oster's chip from 22 yards dropped behind the Watford goal.

Lewington's men looked sharper after the restart and front-man Danny Webber forced Mart Poom into his only save of the match.

The Estonian got down well to deny a low shot from Webber levelling matters.

But that would have been harsh on Sunderland and they deservedly extended their lead on 67 minutes, this time from an unlikely source.

Full-back Wright found himself clear on goal after Stewart had knocked the ball into his path from the left. Wright took a touch before firing into Chamberlain's bottom right hand corner.

It was the end of a clinical breakaway from Sunderland, who had turned defence into attack when Oster set Stewart free down the wing.

From then on it was relaxation time for McCarthy's team and for the first time in a long, long time the Stadium of Light crowd could sit back and watch their team enjoy their football.

There were further chances from Thornton but the score stayed the same.

And, rather like buses, two wins have now come along at once for Sunderland.

Result: Sunderland 2 Watford 0.

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