CRAIG Gordon admits that Sunderland’s faltering away form is becoming a source of major concern.

Since winning at Bolton on the opening weekend of the season, the Black Cats have claimed just one point from 12 on their travels, and that, somewhat strangely, came at Old Trafford.

Saturday’s 2-1 reverse at Birmingham followed hot on the heels of previous defeats at Stoke and Burnley, and hinted at a series of weaknesses that could prevent Steve Bruce’s side from establishing themselves in the top ten if they are not addressed.

Gordon accepts that Sunderland need to improve on their travels and, like his manager, the goalkeeper hinted that a less expansive approach might be necessary.

“We have to find a way of improving away from home because that has happened far too often,” he said. “Birmingham handled our threat very well and were up for a fight. They made us look a poor team, and that is definitely not the case.

“They stopped us getting a foothold in the game, and now it is up to us to show what a good side we are and keep the progress going.

“We are a very attacking side, and perhaps we have been caught out by that a few times. We came alive after scoring and could have taken something from the game, but if you look at it overall, we got what we deserved.”

Despite the acquisition of Lorik Cana and the injured Lee Cattermole, Sunderland have still not mastered the art of scrapping their way to victory.

Their home wins have been achieved through the quality of their football, while this month’s draw at Old Trafford was the result of classic counter-attacking play.

‘Winning ugly’ is not yet a Wearside mantra, but Gordon claims his team-mates will have to master the art if they are to maintain their current position in the top half of the table.

“Sometimes, that is the sign of a good team,” said the Scotsman. “The good teams can get something out of a game when they haven’t really earned it with a poor performance.

“Man United did it against us, and that’s why the good teams remain up there, because they keep the points turning over. When you are the best, you always take something from the game. We didn’t do that, and that’s disappointing.”

Gordon’s day almost went from bad to worse when he appeared to handle outside the area in the closing stages at St Andrew’s, but the shotstopper feels referee Martin Atkinson was right not to send him off.

“It hit my chest,” he claimed. “It may have looked worse on TV but I tried to control the ball as (Christian) Benitez was going past me and it caught my shoulder.

My hand was close, but it definitely didn’t touch it.”

■ Darren Bent is likely to miss tomorrow’s Carling Cup game with Aston Villa after Sunderland’s medical staff confirmed he suffered a minor knock in the latter stages of Saturday’s defeat.