Three goals in 11 second-half minutes helped Middlesbrough come from behind to hand Sunderland another defeat in Premier League 2 Division 2.
Jake Hackett had given Sunderland the lead on 31 minutes with a superb free-kick but Boro responded after half-time.
Ben Liddle hit a post with a penalty before Connor Malley's header levelled the scores.
Goals from Dan Ward and Stephen Walker soon afterwards gave Boro their third straight PL2 victory, while for Sunderland it was a sixth straight defeat.
Boro are seventh, a point off the play-off places, while Sunderland remain bottom.
