Wilson Isidor fired Sunderland right back into the race for automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over third-placed Sheffield United.

The on-loan Zenit St Petersburg frontman’s 35th-minute strike – his seventh goal of the season – proved decisive for the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light after Luke O’Nien’s own goal had cancelled out Eliezer Mayenda’s opener.

However, the Blades were left kicking themselves after Kieffer Moore had earlier seen his penalty saved by Anthony Patterson on a day when top two Leeds and Burnley could only draw, allowing Sunderland to close to within two points of both the second-placed Clarets and Chris Wilder’s men.

The home side mustered the first attempt on goal with Michael Cooper saving well from Isidor at his near post after Patrick Roberts and Trai Hume had combined down the right with nine minutes gone, and the keeper repeated the feat within seconds to deny Mayenda.

However, the visitors should have gone ahead in the 14th minute after referee Matt Donohue awarded a penalty for O’Nien’s tug on Moore as the hosts defended a Gustavo Hamer free-kick, only for Patterson to block the Wales international striker’s spot-kick with his legs.

The Sunderland keeper was very nearly caught in possession as he was closed down by Rhian Brewster inside his six-yard box, but it was Jack Robinson’s error at the other end seconds later which allowed Mayenda to race away and beat Cooper to give his side a 27th-minute lead.

Adil Aouchiche might have doubled their advantage on the half-hour had he produced a finish worthy of Mayenda’s run and pass as they staged a rapid counter-attack, and Sunderland were made to pay within two minutes when, having forced a near-post save from Patterson with an audacious attempt, Hamer drilled in a cross which O’Nien could only head into his own net.

In the event, the visitors were level for only three minutes as Isidor collected Mayenda’s pass and out-stripped defender Anel Ahmedhodzic before firing across the keeper and inside the far post.

Brewster shot wastefully wide after being set up by substitute Harrison Burrows and Callum O’Hare with 62 minutes gone, but Mayenda also failed to make the most of a glorious opening at the other end as the game remained on a knife-edge.

Jobe Bellingham blazed over and Cooper saved well from Mayenda with Sunderland looking to cement victory, but Patterson made a fine stop to prevent Blades substitute Andre Brooks from snatching a point amid a late flurry.