Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson’s first-half error helped boost Hull’s survival chances with a hard-earned 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.

Patterson flapped Joe Gelhardt’s corner in the 18th minute into his own net, putting Hull on course for a fourth win from their last five away matches.

And Sunderland, who struggled to get into their rhythm after losing at promotion rivals Leeds on Monday, could not find a way back and slipped to consecutive defeats for the first time this season.

Hull’s plan worked perfectly in the first half. Having withstood some early pressure from Sunderland, which did not result in goalkeeper Ivor Pandur being tested, the visitors quickly gained in attacking confidence.

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Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson drops the ball into his own net to gift Hull a first-half lead at the Stadium of Light.

After Jobe Bellingham had been robbed in possession after dawdling on the edge of the area at one end, the Tigers broke and should have done better when Matt Crooks opted to pass rather that shoot at the end of the counter.

That was the first sign of danger to the Sunderland defence and moments later Gelhardt curled an effort into the arms of Patterson from 20 yards.

But Patterson made a complete hash of his attempt to catch Gelhardt’s corner soon after and helped it into the net, possibly unsighted by team-mate Patrick Roberts’ attempted clearance at the near post.

A deeper Gelhardt corner almost led to a Hull second in the 24th minute only for Sunderland’s embarrassed goalkeeper to make a strong save with his fist to keep the ball from curling straight in.

Luke O’Nien’s header was correctly disallowed for offside and the nearest Sunderland came to levelling before the break was when Dan Ballard headed into the arms of Pandur from Chris Rigg’s delivery into the area.

Even after the restart, following the introduction of Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle for Enzo Le Fee, Hull attacked first. Steven Alzate shaved the side-netting after a counter-attack that ended with Sunderland defender Ballard limping down the tunnel.

But Sunderland should have been level just before the hour when Wilson Isidor headed wide at the back post after he had been picked out unmarked by Trai Hume.

Hull’s intentions were still clear. Crooks had the ball in the net with a deft backheel but it was ruled out for offside after Patterson had made an initial save to deny Kyle Joseph.

Patterson made another superb save to stop Lincoln’s deflected cross from flying straight in moments before Sunderland’s Eliezer Mayenda wasted a chance to level. The substitute missed the target, with two other options available, after Isidor had won back possession deep in the Hull half.

And Hull frustrated Sunderland, who have now won only one of their last four home league games, during the closing stages to seal a much-needed three points despite Patrick Roberts’ late effort flying just wide.

The managers

Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris:

“The own goal changed the dynamic of the game because after that the opponent provided different problems. We tried to break the low block and didn’t find the solution.

“It is a shame because in this kind of game, silly mistakes can change many things. We have to think about these mistakes to improve our game.

“It is not a coincidence (conceding from a set-piece), we have to ask the questions.

“After that the energy of the group was OK. We tried but it wasn’t enough.

“This was the 34th game of the season. We have a small group. That can be a positive, because everyone is really involved, but at the same time, when we have injuries, we know that we can have a bit of a lack of depth in certain positions.

“That is just the characteristic of the squad this year. There are positives and negatives, we just have to try to manage things properly.

“I hope to see a reaction. I hope to have the capacity to react.”

Hull’s Ruben Selles:

“It is about us, the next game, our attention to win the game. This was a fantastic job and we had to show character, be good defensively.

“The situation is always more difficult if you concede first but the application from the beginning here, we showed we were a threat. It is exceptional and we tried to put them under pressure and we did.

“We have to be ruthless. If we keep defending as we do, especially away from home, then we will do well.

“Now we have a challenge. We have not been able to back up our results by taking three points in consecutive games. We need to go on Tuesday, perform well, show character and then the score will take care of itself.

“Things happen in football but if we go there with personality and saying ‘nobody wants three points more than us’, that should be the mentality.”