The Black Cats automatic promotion bid took a blow following yesterday's defeat at home to Charlton Athletic.
Truth be told the result could have went either way.
Lee Johnson's side had enough chances to put the game to bed inside the first-half but trailed at the break.
The visitors added a second after the hour mark and could have easily added a third.
Josh Scowen's header was nothing more of a consolation as the Black Cats unbeaten run came to an end.
It was inevitable that the run would come to a halt at some point, but the focus for Sunderland must be how they react.
Tuesday night's game against Wigan is one of their games in hand on leaders Hull and can close the gap to Peterborough in second to two points.
With the top two winning yesterday, it gives them some breathing room heading into the final furlong.
Following the defeat to Charlton - the balance of the promotion race has shifted ever so slightly in Hull's favour - who now sit seven points clear of the Black Cats at the top of League 1.
The two sides must still play one another with the victor no doubt sealing their promotion fate.
Nonetheless, the remaining games are not a foregone conclusion.
There'll be more twists and turns in the final few games of the season - something that Lee Johnson echoes.
The Black Cats boss said: "We want to go to Wigan and take the three points, it's part of the 21 still available, and we want to get back on the horse as quickly as possible."
The Sunderland head coach made three changes to the side that drew with Peterborough and felt that two or three players were carried through the game.
Johnson said: "I thought we carried two or three individuals in the first half if I'm honest, and you can't do that against a top seven or eight side, but I need to look back at that objectively and not subjectively."
Yesterdays defeat was a slip up and Sunderland cannot afford any more if they're serious about promotion.
Whether they finish top of the table, or second, the overall outcome is the same - promotion.
Players can't afford to take their eye off the ball - which has been the case a number of times this season when things have gotten too comfortable.
Lee Johnson will no doubt scrutinise this weekend's performance to the finest detail, but ultimately his players must put right their performance against Wigan on Tuesday.
