JUBILANT Sunderland manager Peter Reid last night dedicated a fine 3-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers to the club's travelling army of fans at Ewood Park.

"It was a victory we owed to our supporters because we haven't been too clever away from home this season," said the Wearside boss.

"Our support today was absolutely outstanding - it is terrific the way they get behind us. We have let them down with a couple of away performances I haven't been pleased with, and certainly that was one for the fans today."

It was Sunderland's first top flight success at Ewood Park since a 2-1 victory in 1947 and ended a dismal away run of four consecutive defeats.

It followed hard on the heels of a 1-0 home win over Everton, but Reid was much happier with this performance from an unchanged team.

He said: "That was back to basics today - we were hard to beat and we passed it really well and there were a lot of pleasing aspects."

And he paid tribute to Man of the Match Niall Quinn, who grabbed two first half goals to bring his tally for the season to five.

Reid said: "People don't seem to realise what Niall is like on the ground. He is an intelligent player and as well as being a top class target man he can play as well, but there were a lot of good performances out there as well as Niall with his two goals.

"I thought Claudio Reyna was terrific in the middle of the park. He is on e of those players who has always got time on the ball.

"We made it really difficult for Blackburn - we shut them down, won tackles and that's the basics. Apart from that we passed it, which is a bonus.

"I think it was a really good, professional performance."

Reid was only sorry that England striker Kevin Phillips did not cap another fine performance with a goal, hitting the post in the first minute of the second half.

He said: "I think Kevin did everything right - it looked a really good bit of skill he got good contact and unfortunately his shot came off the inside of the post off the post. He was really unlucky there."

Reid said he did not see any contact between Craig Short and substitute Kevin Kyle before the Rovers defender was sent off.

He said: "I didn't see any contact but the referee was closer than me and that's not meant as a criticism."

And of Kyle's later booking he said: "Kevin's challenge was a little bit of over-enthusiasm. He did wipe the player out but it was not malicious - I think he just wanted to impress."

Reid expects his players to continue the good work in Saturday's tough game at Ipswich Town.

"We have a difficult game against Ipswich but it is one we're looking forward to."