IN JUST over half an hour substitute David Bellion showed a lacklustre Sunderland how entertaining the club's fans should be done.

After a five game unbeaten run, the Black Cats were expected to strengthen their Premiership survival chances at home to Birmingham, who had only won once on their travels this season.

But Sunderland, whose unbelievable defensive heroics clinched a point at Anfield last week, failed to produce in the final third of the pitch again and it proved costly, as the Blues hit a winner two minutes before the final whistle through Clinton Morrison.

It was not until Bellion's introduction 34 minutes from time that the hosts suddenly began to threaten the visitors' backline.

And the young Frenchman - on the bench after recovering from a groin strain - staked his claim for a first team recall with a number of darting runs - the few bright spots for the 38, 803 supporters.

Bellion, whose lightening turn of pace has apparently attracted the interest of Manchester United, loves to attack his marker and he believes Sunderland need to find the impetus to go forward more often if they are to climb out of trouble.

"The first 20 minutes was about how the other team played but we have to decide how we are playing - whether we are going to run at them or sit back," said the 19-year-old.

"I think we should be taking on more players and not waiting for them to go up the field. We have to try to change the intensity of the game by taking it to them.

"If we do this then that's how we win the game. It's important that we go forward."

Saturday was Bellion's first piece of action since the 1-1 draw with Bolton nearly a month ago, and he was relieved to be back on the field.

But the Frenchman admitted his frustration that his first game back ended in defeat, and he is now focusing on this weekend's trip to Chelsea.

"It's disappointing. It was a similar game to the West Ham match," he said. "We didn't get many opportunities in the first half but we got more in the second half.

"Personally, when I get the chance to play, even if it's only for half an hour, I have to be focused.

"I quickly tried to get involved in the game. I wanted to go on runs to beat men with my pace and then try to cross the ball or shoot. I like to get forward a lot."

Before Bellion's entrance, there was very little in the way of excitement. The first half in particular was one to forget.

Sunderland, who failed to muster a single shot against Liverpool, only managed two weak attempts on target against Birmingham.

Both of the shots came from Michael Proctor but the first, a header, was easily saved by Nico Vaesen, who then comfortably denied the youngster again after good work from Tore Andre Flo.

There were shots off target, but the opening period saw Birmingham, who looked like a side more than capable of holding their own in the top-flight this season, put their authority on proceedings.

City's midfield was their greatest strength. Aliou Cisse and Robbie Savage in the centre never allowed their counterparts -Gavin McCann and Kevin Kilbane time to settle.

Both Savage and Cisse enjoyed a good afternoon and they fed wing-men Stan Lazaridis and Paul Devlin regularly down the wings.

Lazaridis, in particular, was a chief tormentor to the Sunderland rearguard and he should have scored the opening goal on 25 minutes.

The Australian was put clean through by Stephen Wright - back in the side after suspension - but with just the 'keeper to beat, Wright redeemed himself by tracking back and putting in a last ditch tackle.

The former Liverpool man was not the only Sunderland player to give the ball away, Kilbane gave Morrison a glorious chance.

Kilbane's strayed pass found his Republic of Ireland colleague, but Morrison's shot was well saved by Jurgen Macho - who kept his place despite the arrival of Mart Poom who was on the bench.

Sunderland did pick up when Bellion entered the fray but, apart from Kevin Phillips' curling free-kick that flew wide, they were failing miserably to force Vaesen into saves.

In fact Birmingham tried their best to help Sunderland claim the points. Olivier Tebily and Damien Johnson got in a muddle and the ball deflected off the latter and onto the crossbar.

But just a minute later, on 88 minutes, Birmingham got the elusive goal that secured their first win on Wearside since 1993.

Man of the match Lazaridis played in Morrison, who evaded Jody Craddock and slipped the ball past Macho and it was exactly what Birmingham deserved for a hard-working and adventurous display.