LEWIS MORGAN is hoping Sunderland’s record-breaking start to 2019 will provide the momentum for a successful promotion push in the final two months of the season.

The Black Cats created history at the weekend as their 2-0 home win over Plymouth Argyle extended their unbeaten start to the calendar year to 13 matches in all competitions.

That beats the club’s previous record of 12 games, which was set as Sunderland strolled towards their first ever promotion in 1964.

Another successful promotion campaign is the ambition this time around, with Saturday’s victory, which came courtesy of goals from Lee Cattermole and George Honeyman, having left Jack Ross’ side two points adrift of the automatic-promotion places.

Sunderland have a game in hand on second-placed Barnsley, and travel to Oakwell a week tomorrow, and having won promotion with St Mirren last season, Morgan knows the importance of getting on a roll.

“I know what a winning mentality brings,” said the Celtic loanee. “And I know what happens when you win three games on the spin and get a good run going.

“When that happens, you’re going into games with your confidence flowing, and more often than not, you’ll keep on building on those positive results. I’ve seen it up the road, when you go on runs like this, you keep on rolling. You just have to make sure you keep turning up and keep winning games.”

It took Morgan a while to find his stride after he moved to Wearside from Parkhead in January, but having impressed as a second-half substitute in the win at Bristol Rovers, the 22-year-old produced his best display in a Sunderland shirt against Plymouth.

His dribbling ability caused a succession of problems down the right-hand side, and his deflected cross set up Cattermole’s first-half finish.

“I’ve come down from Scotland and I’ve not played as much football as I would want this year, so it was always going to take a wee while for me to get going,” said Morgan. “I think I’m getting back to that match sharpness now. I’m feeling sharp. I’m someone who likes to be direct, so it’s important to get games in my legs and minutes in my legs, and I’ll only keep improving for that.

“A big part of my game is creating chances. We’re getting bodies into the box, and it was a great finish from Catts for his goal. We’ve then gone on and nicked the second. My job is to create things for the rest of the team and score myself, and hopefully that’s something I can bring.”

Sunderland return to action tomorrow as they head to Bristol Rovers for a Checkatrade Trophy semi-final, with the winners due to meet Portsmouth at Wembley on March 31. Ross is likely to make a number of changes with two crucial league away games coming up, but Morgan is keen to retain his place in the side.

“There’s a core of the team that’s stayed the same, but there’s also a couple of positions that have been up for grabs,” he said. “I’m one that has come in, and I’m really focused on making sure I keep my place.

“If I can get an extended run of games, I know I’ll keep improving. Hopefully, we can keep going in the same direction. That’s three wins on the spin now and hopefully we’ll be able to continue that.”