Nigel Adkins had this verdict on Sunderland win and the pre-match planning that paid off for Charlton

A Josh Scowen own goal gave Charlton the lead, the midfielder slicing an attempted clearance into the roof of his own net after Lee Burge tried to make a save from a Ryan Inniss header.

Sunderland boss Lee Johnson felt there was a foul committed in the build up, but conceded it was also 'soft' defending on his team's part.

The visitors then extended their lead in the second half when the Black Cats switched off at a thrown in, midfielder Alex Gilbey breaking into the box to score.

Adkins praised his goalkeeper Ben Amos for making some excellent saves through the contest, but said he felt his side could also have added more to their goal tally.

“It is a big win," Adkins said.

"Sunderland are a good side and that was demonstrated today. They’ve got a chance of the top two. We've come away and won 2-1 and we could have scored some more.

"We could have had a penalty with the handball from Jayden Stockley’s header. We’ve hit the post, Jayden Stockley had an open goal really [after a] nice little cross from [Jaiyesimi].

"We hit the post in the first-half and we had a great opportunity in the first couple of minutes as well with a great cross that we talked about.

“I'm really pleased with the two goals that we did score, we’re a threat from set pieces," he added.

"Ryan Inniss scored from one we worked on on the training ground.

"We thought maybe we could expose them a little bit in their left-back positions from throw-ins and we scored from that, getting a blindside midfield player to go and score and Alex Gilbey did that.

“So, a couple of things we talked about in preparation for the game was good but I must say we had to show that resilience and that grit, to come away from home and play against a good side.

“We’ve had to defend resolutely. We gifted them the goal to make it 2-1 to make it a little bit more exciting. But our goalkeeper [Ben Amos] played well. He’s made some good saves, come and caught some good crosses.

"We knew he’d have to do that and the centre-halves heading the ball.

"You break it all down, we’ve got so much more to give, especially in possession of the football. But we’ve come away from home, this is the important stage of the season where results are everything, and we’ve come away from home and got another three points that puts us well and truly in the race for the play-off positions.”

Charlton's win moved them to within point of the play-off positions, though Lincoln City have played a game less.

Sunderland are now five points off Peterborough United in second place, but can cut the gap to two points on Tuesday night when they play their game in hand at Wigan Athletic.

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