Steve Bruce's inspired substitutions saw Blues reap the rewards as the came away from The Stadium of Light with a massive 1-0 victory against fellow strugglers Sunderland.

Julian Gray's second half strike gave them all three points which sees them remain one off the bottom but making up vital ground on the pack above them in the table.

Steve Bruce rang the changes in arguably Blues most important game in the Premiership.

David Dunn made his first start since Boxing Day last year and Nico Vaesen was back between the sticks for the first time since March 2003, following Maik Taylor's recent errors.

Also back in the side were fit again Damien Johnson and Mario Melchiot.

There was no room on the bench for Lazaridis, Clapham and Nicky Butt, with Jermaine Pennant relegated to the bench.

One more surprise in the formation was Matthew Upson switching to left-back and skipper Kenny Cunningham partnering Martin Taylor in the centre of defence.

Both sets of supporters observed a minutes silence for the late, great George Best who passed away yesterday.

It took only five minutes for Blues to create their first chance with a trademark long range effort from Jiri Jarosik that keeper Ben Alnwick saved comfortably.

A minute later Jonathan Stead tried his luck from similar distance with Nico Vaesen forced to tip it round the post for a corner.

Moments later Neil Kilkenny broke clear but delayed too much in electing to shoot and was tackled by former Blues man Gary Breen.

In the 13th minute it was that man Jarosik with another shot from distance, slightly further than his first attempt but still forcing another save out of keeper Alnwick.

Midway through the half the weather took a turn for the worse with the rain turning to hail and bombarding both sides on the pitch.

Surprisingly this lifted the atmosphere with both sets of supporters in fine voice and Blues fans eventually diving for cover from the hail stones blowing into their faces.

In the 33rd minute Jonathan Stead had another shot from the edge of the box with Muzzy Izzet throwing himself at the ball to block it for a corner.

A minute later Damien Johnson raced into the penalty area but hit a cross - come shot that eluded Heskey and eventually rolled out for a throw-in on the opposite side of the pitch.

One worrying sight was the fact that the expected danger man David Dunn appeared to be struggling with his fitness as the half drew to a close.

The tension appeared to be getting to both sides as the game edged towards the half-way point and a warm dressing room awaiting the players.

Half-time Sunderland 0-0 Blues

Both managers chose to make one change to their respective sides at half-time with Walter Pandiani replacing Jiri Jarosik and Andrew Welsh replaced by Liam Lawrence.

Almost immediately after the re-start Steve Bruce signaled Jermaine Pennant to get up off the bench and start warming up.

David Dunn was fortunate to escape with a caution after hacking down Tommy Miller and getting a lecture from Uriah Rennie.

A minute later Dunn hit a fierce volley forcing an orthodox save out of Ben Alnwick who eventually held onto the ball. In the 53rd minute there was the worrying sight of David Dunn receiving treatment after taking a blow to the face but still looking groggy as he returned to action.

On the hour Jermaine Pennant replaced youngster Neil Kilkenny and for Sunderland, Chris Brown replaced Anthony Le Tallec.

This spurred Blues on and Walter Pandiani rifled his first shot on target that stung Alnwick's hands forcing a corner.

Pennant's first corner found Heskey who just failed to get over the ball as his header flew over the bar.

In the 62nd minute Heskey fed the ball through to Pennant who tried to return the compliment with an excellent cross that left the keeper flat footed as neither striker gambled as the ball whistled past everyone.

It was kitchen sink time with Steve Bruce making his final substitution in the 65th minute as he threw on Julian Gray for David Dunn who was clearly showing signs of a lack of match practice.

The gamble paid off three minutes later when Gray fired Blues into the lead.

It was a goal created by all three substitutes with Jermaine Pennant providing a pin-point cross that Pandiani met with a bullet header that Alnwick could only parry away.

Thankfully for Blues Julian Gray was there six-yards out to drill the ball home and send the Blues fans crazy after witnessing their first goal in 422 minutes.

Blues were starting to look a bit more comfortable following the goal and were beginning to carve out a few more openings.

Surprisingly the Sunderland fans were starting to make their way down the exits despite the fact their side had scored in every game this season.

In the 83rd minute Pandiani failed to hit the target from six-yards as the ball flew past the post.

In the 86th minute Mick McCarthy made his final substitution replacing Christian Bassila replaced by Andy Gray. Blues held out firm and saw them celebrate their first league win since 27th August as players, manager and fans saluted each other.

This must bolster Steve Bruce's 'tongue in cheek' claim for November's manager of the month as he looks forward to a crucial set of fixtures in December, with survival the name of the game.

Steve Bruce will equally have been pleased with their first clean sheet since the opening day of the season at Fulham on 13th August.

Full-time: Sunderland 0 Blues 1

Sunderland: Alnwick, Nosworthy, Breen, Collins, Hoyte, Miller, Whitehead, Bassila (86, Gray), Welsh (46, Lawrence), Stead, Le Tallec (59, Brown)

Blues: Vaesen, Melchiot, Upson, Cunningham, Martin Taylor, Dunn (65, Julian Gray), Kilkenny (59, Pennant), Johnson, Izzet, Jarosik (46, Pandiani), Heskey

Goals: Gray (68)

Attendance: 32,442

Report by Jon Shaw