Martin O'Neill (AFP) Sunderland - Sunderland inched nearer to Premier League survival as the Black Cats struggled right back from two goals down to save a 2-2 pull against Fulham on Saturday. Martin O'Neill's team appeared set for a disappointing defeat at the Stadium of Light after Fulham ran into a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to Dimitar Berbatov's penalty and a Sascha Riether strike. But Sunderland paid down the deficit before the break through Craig Gardner's penalty and Stephane Sessegnon's 2nd half target saved a potentially useful place in the battle to prevent relegation. The Black Cats, who ended a run of three successive defeats, are now actually six points above underneath three, while Fulham stay in comparative security in mid-table. Sunderland desperately needed a win after getting just one single place from their last four games, but they found themselves in deep trouble by the full time 35 minutes had passed. Martin Jol's side took the lead with 16 minutes gone when Gardner was adjudged to possess tripped Ashkan Dejagah inside the box. Umpire Mark Halsey going to the spot to the fury of the property team and former Manchester United striker Berbatov smoothly steered the spot-kick past Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Fulham increased their lead in the moment, breaking at pace from the Sunderland corner. Mignolet could only parry Dejagah's picture from a limited angle and Riether pounced on the rebound to fire home. Just like the game was spinning out of their get a grip on, Sunderland were given a in the 37th moment. Philippe Senderos pulled Sunderland striker Danny Graham as the match challenged for a over the top and Halsey once more pointed to the location. The penalty was smashed by gardner past Mark Schwarzer to create an anxious 2nd half. The Cottagers had an opportunity to put the overall game beyond doubt midway through the 2nd half, but Mignolet ran from his line to prevent Berbatov's attempt after Bryan Ruiz had enjoyed him in with a lofted pass. That proved important as Sessegnon drilled house from 15 meters in the minute following the ball broke invitingly for him.
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