Sunderland 2-0 Crewe player ratings as Dan Neil and Patrick Roberts make an impact from the bench

Sunderland needed two late goals to see off basement side Crewe at the Stadium of Light and keep their play-off challenge going.

The Black Cats could not find a breakthrough for 85 minutes, before substitute Dan Neil finally found a way through.

And fellow sub Patrick Roberts added the second goal in the final minute of the 90 to give Sunderland a cushion and avoid any nerves in injury-time.

Here's how James Hunter rated the Sunderland players.

Hardly had a save to make, but showed safe handling and his distribution was good

Another decent game on the right side of the back three

Won pretty much everything against Crewe's ineffective forwards

Solid enough as the left-sided centre-back

No shortage of effort at wingback, but didn't get enough crosses into the box

Kept the ball moving in the middle of the park and made some strong challenges

Good energy in midfield and brought a save out of the keeper in the second half

Covered every blade of grass on his first start since recovering from shoulder surgery

Delivered some decent crosses, and provided the assist for Roberts

One half-chance, but it got away from him. Still looks well off the pace

Got little change out of Crewe's defence, but did produce the assist for Neil

For O'Nien 59mins. Back on the pitch after being given a breather, and his goal gave Sunderland a much-needed breakthrough

For Gooch 59mins. Lively when he came on

For Defoe 64mins. Offered more of an attacking threat and deserved his goal

Hoffmann, Doyle, Embleton, Hume