Millwall 2 Sunderland 1

The lanky striker opened his account by powering home a splendid header on 39 minutes, providing Peter Sweeney's cross with the finish it deserved.

After arriving on a month's loan from West Brom, Dichio wasted little time in winning over the home fans with a second effort just past the hour mark by steering a header from Neil Harris's assist into the net via the far post.

Sunderland had started poorly but took the lead through Marcus Stewart, who found the net after Kevin Kyle pounced on a mistake by Darren Ward to create the opportunity.

Dichio served notice of his intentions with a couple of attempts, and The Lions were in the ascendancy for much of the first period with Mart Poom the busier of the two keepers.

The visitors worked hard to try and extend a five-match winning run but Jason McAteer shot weakly at Tony Warner following innovative play by Stewart.

John Oster almost salvaged a point for Mick McCarthy's men but his late free kick was kept out by Warner to ensure an unhappy return to his former club for the former Republic of Ireland manager.