Wilson Isidor labelled the current Sunderland squad as "special" as their push for Championship promotion continued with a dramatic 3-2 win over Middlesbrough on Monday. 

The result saw Sunderland record a first league double over Boro since the 1961-62 season, while also putting them to within three points of second-placed Sheffield United. 

Delano Burgzorg handed the hosts an 11th-minute lead with a calm finish past Anthony Patterson after being brilliantly played in behind by Hayden Hackney. 

But Sunderland dragged themselves level just after the half-hour mark when Dan Neil's strike deflected into the net following a touch from Boro defender George Edmundson. 

And it took just six minutes after the restart for the visitors to take the lead through Isidor, who took his time before sitting down Mark Travers and tapping the ball home. 

Having played a part in the opening goal, Hackney got himself on the scoresheet to restore parity at the Riverside Stadium with a fierce drive into the bottom left-hand corner. 

But there was to be one further twist three minutes from time when Enzo Le Fee's cross into the box was cannoned past his own goalkeeper by the unfortunate Ryan Giles. 

Isidor has responded well to his double penalty miss against Burnley earlier this month, a day he described as "the worst of his life". 

He has now scored three goals in four Championship games since his Turf Moor troubles and put pen to paper on a new deal with the Black Cats until 2028 last Saturday.

"We really wanted to win and take six points from them because it's important in our title race," Isidor told ITV Sport following the full-time whistle.

"Nothing is too much for these fans and this club, which is why my emotions were a bit too much.

"[Against Burnley], I missed two penalties. I just need to bounce back and keep my chin up. The fans really helped me - they were amazing.

"That's why it was easy for me to sign a new contract. I love being here and my team-mates.

"At half-time, the coach said Middlesbrough were more aggressive than us. We knew the game was important for them, so we tried to be more aggressive and play more vertically, which is our strength.

"I don't want to fix limits. I said at the start of the season that I wanted 10 goals. Now I'm there.

"We play for Sunderland and you need to play with passion. All we can do is our best in the jersey.

"We are not shy to say we want to get promoted. This group is special, and so is the coach. The fans know it. We enjoy being together."

For Michael Carrick and Middlesbrough, meanwhile, they remain just outside the play-off places and their performance on Monday perhaps merited at least a point. 

They accumulated an expected goals (xG) total of 1.32 from their 12 shots, while also enjoying 52.7% possession, but ultimately came up short through a moment of misfortune. 

"It's very tough to take in those circumstances. We've got to accept it. We're bitterly disappointed not to get anything from the game," Carrick told Sky Sports. 

"I thought we started particularly well and scored. Maybe we could have had one more.

"The deflected goal, which is a deflected goal. George [Edmundson] has tried to get in the way of it, but obviously, that goes in.

"Second half, they scored from nowhere, and then we responded pretty well, I thought.

"We had one or two opportunities where we thought we had the momentum and then the game kind of drifted after that.

"And then the goal right at the end, the way it's gone in is a tough one to take."

Boro will be hoping to return to winning ways when they return to Championship action in nine days' time but face a stern test against Chris Wilder's Blades at Bramall Lane.