Departing crowd favourite El-Hadji Diouf netted a superb 42nd-minute opener and Black Cats substitute Daryl Murphy headed into his own net in the closing stages to seal the result.

It was Bolton's third win in their last four matches and moved them three points clear of the relegation zone with a vastly superior goal difference on third-bottom Reading.

Barring a disastrous final day of the season next Sunday - Bolton travel to Chelsea and Steve Coppell's men head to rock-bottom Derby - the Trotters will survive, conceivably on goal difference.

They were given a massive boost prior to kick-off when news filtered through of Fulham's 2-0 win over Birmingham and Reading's 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Tottenham.

"We knew the scores as they were coming in but didn't make a difference to what we were trying to actually achieve," said Megson.

"The consequence of getting the three points very much made the difference.

"The players knew they needed to perform today because we're going to Chelsea next week.

"It's four years since they lost at home isn't it?

"So we knew when we kicked off that if we could get a result it would put an awful amount of onus on the other teams, but we still had to get the actual win.

"Now we are three points above the relegation zone and in a great position to stay up."

When the former West Brom boss was appointed last October, Bolton were heading towards the Coca-Cola Championship at pace.

Sammy Lee was unseated last October after just 171 days in charge with the unfashionable Lancashire outfit bottom of the table with a pitiful five points from their first 10 games.

That Megson has presided over a remarkable turnaround is undeniable, but he was quick to pay tribute to departing crowd favourite Diouf.

The controversial Senegal striker recently declared he will quit the Trotters in the summer regardless of whether they survive relegation.

Diouf's commitment to the team was also brought into question by his own team-mates several weeks ago as Megson's side slid into the relegation zone.

There can be no complaints after this display, however, and the 27-year-old was left to milk the applause at the end of what looks certain to prove his final appearance at the Reebok Stadium as a Bolton player.

Megson added: "I spoke to Diouf on Monday and told him he would be playing.

"Three weeks ago he made the announcement that he might not remain a Bolton player regardless of whether we stay up or went down.

"I told him that this could possibly be his last home game and that he needed to perform and leave on a good note, which he has done."

Sunderland, for their part, arrived in Lancashire safe from relegation - and it showed.

But furious manager Roy Keane admitted there was no justification for such a meek surrender.

The Black Cats were second best throughout and their performance prompted Keane to point an accusing finger at his players.

Keane said: "We gave away bad goals again, which I've been saying for 38, 40 weeks now.

"We've lost 22 games now this season and people keep telling me we've had a good season - but I'm lucky to be in a job.

"You learn a hell of a lot about your players all the time and today has just confirmed what I'm thinking anyway.

"I made three substitutions today but I could have made 10. I think they should change the rules so I can make 10 substitutions."