MODOU Barrow scored two goals in quick succession as Reading FC picked up their second win on the spin after a thrilling 3-1 victory at 10-man Sunderland.

The Black Cats were a man down at the end of the first half when Callum McManaman was sent off for handling the ball into the back of the net, having already been booked for an earlier foul on Barrow.

Reading then took the lead through midfielder Dave Edwards before Gambian international Barrow hit two in the space of three minutes.

In-form Lewis Grabban pulled a goal back from the spot against his former loan club, but it was too little too late from Chris Coleman’s beleagured Black Cats.

Boss Jaap Stam named an unchanged starting line-up for the third game on the spin as Royals went in search of another victory following a midweek home win over Barnsley.

Reading started on the back foot with former loanee striker Grabban posing a constant threat up top for the hosts.

But Stam’s men soon began to settle and found some good rhythm with their passing and control of possession.

The first chance came when veteran forward Yann Kermorgant had half-a-yard of space on the edge of the box and fired a volley at goal, but his effort sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

And Kermorgant nearly turned provider with 22 minutes played when he cleverly picked out Edwards at the near post. The Welsh international got a toe on the ball but sent it high when it looked easier to score.

The hosts rallied soon after and Joey van den Berg showed his defensive abilities when he stepped in to deny George Honeyman after a defence-splitting ball by Bryan Oviedo.

Liam Moore then went close to finding the net for the visitors when he got on the end of a corner and narrowly headed off target.

And controversy struck on the brink of half-time when McManaman was booked for a second time and received his marching orders.

Royals, with a one-man advantage, started the second-half the brighter side and soon piled more misery on Sunderland when Edwards scored his second goal in as many games eight minutes after the restart.

The 31-year-old prodded home from close range after a fine cross by winger Sone Aluko.

Liam Kelly then tested Robbin Ruiter from distance after Barrow picked out the Academy graduate.

But Royals were soon in dreamland thanks to Barrow's quickfire brace.

The summer signing from Swansea City made it 2-0 in the 68th minute when he converted at the far post from Kelly's assist.

And three minutes later he netted again with a superb finish from Yann Kermorgant's cross.

Sunderland reduced the arrears 15 minutes before time when Grabban's spot-kick just about beat ex-Black Cats keeper Vito Mannone after Leandro Bacuna had hacked down Joel Asoro.

And Coleman's men continued to push men forward in the closing stages, but came up short in the end as Royals’ defence remained defiant to secure a first win at Sunderland since 2005 in front of more than 500 travelling supporters.

Sunderland: Ruiter, Matthews, O’Shea, Browning, Oviedo (Galloway,59), Cattermole (Gooch, 80), McManaman, Honeyman, McNair, McGeady (Asoro, 69), Grabban. Subs not used: Steele, Love, Gibson, Gooch, Maja, Wilson. Booked: McManaman (15, 45+3) Cattermole 35, Oviedo 43. Red card: McManaman 45+3.

Reading FC: Mannone, Gunter, McShane (c), Moore, Bacuna, Van den Berg, Edwards, Kelly (Clement, 80), Aluko (Beerens, 80), Barrow, Kermorgant. Subs not used: Jaakkola, Ilori, Bodvarsson, Blackett, Popa. Booked: McShane 16, Aluko 43.

Referee: Keith Stroud.

Attendance: 27,386.