Tommy Conway's penalty ended Bristol City's run of four games without a win with a 1-0 victory over in-form managerless Sunderland at Ashton Gate.
Conway slotted in from the spot after Taylor Gardner-Hickman was brought down in the box 20 minutes in, to give the hosts the lead.
Robins keeper Max O'Leary produced two fantastic saves, first to deny Luke O'Nien and then Jobe Bellingham in the second half as Sunderland sent wave after wave of pressure towards City's goal without reward.
The win is only the second of boss Liam Manning's tenure and moved Bristol City up to 14th, while Sunderland dropped to seventh.