SUNDERLAND slipped to fourth place in the table after their second defeat in four days, leaving a pack of chasing clubs snapping at their heels.

And even die-hard fans left Pride Park wondering if the Wearside bubble has burst following a disappointing display against a hard-fighting, but struggling Derby side.

True, it was only a brilliant, last minute save from debutant goalkeeper Andy Oakes, who pushed a volley from substitute John Oster against the post, which prevented Peter Reid's men salvaging a point, but Sunderland never produced the gritty edge and determination which has been a vital feature of their superb away form this season.

They found themselves caught up in the turmoil caused by card-happy Orpington referee Barry Knight, who booked ten players, and never took a grip on a game which was there to be won, despite the home side's whole-hearted efforts.

Reid knew his men, probably suffering from a hangover after their never-say-die efforts in the 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Manchester United in midweek, did not produce the necessary finishing power to punish their opponents.

"We had a lot of the ball and played some good stuff, but the final pass wasn't there," he admitted.

"For the amount of possession we had we just didn't do enough in the final third of the pitch.

"At times we looked the home side and to have so much possession showed we were doing something right, but there wasn't enough quality. I knew it was going to be a difficult game and all credit to Derby, but I think we deserved a point.

"All in all it has been a disappointing week for us - the players have worked hard, played some good football and have got nothing out of it.

"But they were two very close games and we have to make sure we bounce straight back up."

Derby manager Jim Smith admitted: "This was a big win for us, but I think we were fortunate to play Sunderland so soon after their game with Manchester United - that took its toll."

Derby, possibly remembering the 5-0 thrashing they received in the corresponding match last season, took the game to Sunderland and their emphasis on attack made it an open, entertaining game throughout.

Sunderland were lucky not to find themselves a goal down in the seventh minute when a curling 20-yard freekick from Argentinian defender Horacio Carbonari struck the inside of the post and rebounded across the face of goal to safety.

Then came the start of the yellow cards, though the first was richly deserved by Darryl Powell.

The Derby midfielder, victim of an elbow from Alex Rae at the Stadium of Light last season, sought out the Scottish B international and felled him with a crude, double-footed tackle.

The mould was set, and Don Hutchison could feel himself unlucky to be cautioned - his tenth of the season - for his first indiscretion when a quiet word from Mr Knight would have sufficed.

Three minutes later came a sickening clash of heads between Powell and Danny Dichio, who came in late, leaving the midfielder with a suspected broken nose. The totally miss-timed challenge was probably the worst of the afternoon, yet Mr Knight astonished everyone by awarding a bounce-up.

Later the fouls and niggling challenges gave way to petulance, much of it caused by a late-flagging assistant referee, though ten bookings was an absurd total.

Derby's match-winning goal had a slice of luck about it in the 42nd minute when substitute Adam Murray, who had replaced the injured Powell, sliced a through ball which looked like ending up out of play. But striker Stefano Eranio retrieved possession and crossed low for Craig Burley to fire a low, right foot shot home from 15 yards.

Sunderland, who have developed a reputation for their second half performances this season, should have been level in the 53rd minute when Kevin Phillips unselfishly provided a superb chance for Hutchison, but he pulled his shot wide from 12 yards - the miss of the match.

As Sunderland pushed forward they exposed themselves to the threat of counter-attacks from Derby, who were infuriated by a series of offside decisions, having three players booked for dissent in as many minutes, with Eranio the only one to warrant a caution.

But defensive mistakes allowed Burley to hit the post in the 67th minute and late in the game Deon Burton and Lee Morris both missed the target after breaking clear on goal.

England man Phillips, who'd put a couple of half chances wide in the first half and had a volley saved after the break, found himself caught up in the outbreak of petulance, receiving his ninth booking of the season for rashly kicking the ball away following an offside decision against him and is now in danger of a second suspension.

Sunderland might have salvaged a point when Oster volleyed well enough in the last minute, but it would have been hard on a Derby side which did enough to deserve the victory.