BILLY JONES was the unlikely goalscorer that put Sunderland on track to end an overdue search for a win – and has kept Middlesbrough’s slender Premier League survival hopes alive in the process.

Jones arrived low in the six yard box to head George Honeyman’s corner over the line with 21 minutes remaining to put Sunderland on course for a first win in 11 matches; it is only the second time they have won in 2017.

Jermain Defoe was on hand in stoppage-time to seal the three points when he ended his own wait of 1,035 minutes to grab the 15th goal of his season. It also ended Hull manager Marco Silva’s proud record of not losing a home game since 2014, dating back 41 matches.

Sunderland already know they will be playing in the Championship next season, but this victory has increased the chances of Hull joining them and left Middlesbrough wondering maybe, just maybe.

Boro are six points behind the Tigers, who have two matches remaining, and Steve Agnew will be trying to engineer a surprise result at Chelsea on Monday which would really breathe new life into their survival chances.

There was certainly very little sign of Moyes having an eye on next season with his selection and he was rewarded with three points. The only academy outfield graduate handed a chance to impress was Honeyman, who made his second Premier League start.

The 22-year-old, whose contract is due to expire at the end of next month, was one of three changes and those included the decision to drop Wahbi Khazri to the bench, a step which frustrated the Sunderland supporters again.

Honeyman was the first Sunderland player to have an attempt on goal when he ought to have tested goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic with a header from Jones’ cross.

After that Hull, desperate for the points in the battle to beat the drop and stay ahead of the bottom three, pushed forward and showed the greater ambition initially.

Sam Clucas had a couple of decent efforts, the best of which had to be well saved by Jordan Pickford down to his right. Harry Maguire also shaved the side netting.

One of the biggest talking points of the opening half was how John O’Shea blocked an Oumar Niasse overhead kick that was heading for goal, with strong claims for handball although he didn’t seem to know much about it.

Abel Hernandez, Victor Anichebe and Defoe all had efforts that didn’t test the keepers much, so Sunderland had done enough to frustrate the home side at the break.

Defoe had the best of the lot four minutes after the restart. Had the chance presented itself a few months ago he would have buried it, this time he poked the ball into Jakupovic’s hands after he had been put through on goal by Pickford’s brilliant long kick.

Almost immediately, though, former Sunderland midfielder Alfred N’Diaye was left wondering how he didn’t connect with a dangerous delivery to the back post from Grosicki when it looked easier to score.

Pickford made a stunning one handed save to tip over a header from Lazar Markovic shortly after too, as Hull realised they had to turn up the heat as Sunderland – who went close again through Defoe – threatened more themselves.

And then Sunderland got the breakthrough that must have been cheered on Teesside more than Wearside. Jones was left undetected in the box to dive and head Honeyman’s corner over the line after O’Shea’s flick.

After that Hull pressed and pressed. Pickford was in no mood to be beaten and he somehow kept out a close range strike from Hernandez at his near post with a strong near post stop.

But it was Sunderland who added the second in stoppage-time when he was picked out in the area by Seb Larsson’s free-kick down the right. If only this had arrived weeks and months earlier.

HULL CITY (4-2-3-1): Jakupovic; Elmohamady (Evandro 86), Ranocchia, Maguire, Robertson; N’Diaye (Mbokani 77), Clucas; Markovic (Huddlestone 65), Hernandez, Grosicki; Niasse. Subs (not used): Marshall (gk), Maloney, Dawson, Henriksen. SUNDERLAND (4-3-2-1): Pickford; Jones, Kone, O’Shea, Manquillo; Ndong, Denayer, Honeyman (Larsson 79); Borini, Anichebe; Defoe. Subs: Mannone (gk), Djilobodji, Khazri, Rodwell, Love, Gooch.