Sunderland then fought back and the visitors were unlucky not to level matters when both Keith Graydon and Chris Black went close.
Jovan Kirovski sealed victory for Blues in the 39th minute with a well struck free-kick from 20 yards to give Keith Bertchin's side a much needed three points.
Blues: Bennett, Coly, Capaldi, Fagin, Vickers, Gilbert, Devlin, Kirovski, Swierczewski (Grondin 83), John (Barrowman 87), Hughes.
Sunderland: Poom, Rossiter (Scott 87), McCartney (Peeters 73), Dickman, Clark, Williams, Black (Capper 69), Medina, Stewart, Graydon, Butler.