Andy Reid's first goal spared Sunderland the wrath of a growling Roy Keane as they headed off for a warm-weather training camp with a 2-1 win over West Ham at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats flew out on a four-day trip to Spain immediately after this Barclays Premier League clash, and did so having stretched the gap between themselves and the relegation zone to a healthy seven points with their first back-to-back top-flight wins since December 2001.

However, they had to wait until the sixth minute of injury time at the end of the game for Reid to volley home the winner with the Hammers having been reduced to 10 men by a further bout of injury misery.

Keane was delighted with his side's never-say-die attitude as they once again struck late to claim three invaluable points, but he will allow no-one to ease up as he plans for next weekend's trip to struggling Fulham.

He said: "We cannot relax. If we were in West Ham's position, we could relax, but in the Premier League, you cannot take anything for granted. We have another tough game. I was reminded all week that we have never had back-to-back victories — imagine if we won next week. Three in a row would be a miracle.

"You have got to keep believing and try to win your next football match, but we are in no position to relax. I am just relieved for the players because as you know, we are going to a training camp tonight and I am certainly not a good traveller.

"The lads are pretty relieved that we have won because I would have been growling all the way over on the flight. You think I am joking."

Keane was certainly growling during the opening 30 minutes of a game which saw Dean Ashton hit the post and then Freddie Ljungberg open the scoring with a deflected shot.

However, his side recovered for Kenwyne Jones to fire them level with his first goal in 11 games after 28 minutes, and although Craig Gordon had to produce a fine save to deny Carlton Cole, the home side dominated after the break before making their late, late breakthrough.

Keane said: "Our first 25, 30 minutes was appalling today. I thought we were shocking. I could have got my boots out easily today and played. I could have played in the Premier League today easily for West Ham because we just stood off them and let them play and pass it.

"If you do that against any opposition, trust me, you are going to be beaten. Even the goal we gave away, if I had seen that on a Sunday morning, I would have been disappointed."