IF THESE clubs entered a department store lift, what would the automated voice inside advise? Going up, top floor: silverware, fame and fortune. Going down, ground floor: flawed goods, bank- rupt stock and, of course, ignominy.

The latter destination might be a touch pessimistic, but on the evidence of this Coca- Cola Championship match at Elland Road last night, the road back to the big time will be a long haul for Leeds United and Sunderland. The Wearsiders will be the more contented after Carl Robinson’s goal claimed three points and fourth position in the table. It was also the visiting team’s fourth league victory in succession.

“Not many teams will come here and win,” Robinson said, although that claim is open to dispute. Leeds have this season resembled Steve Austin, the Six Million Dollar Man of television fame who was rebuilt with haste after a near-death experience. In a similar vein, Kevin Blackwell, the Leeds manager, has reconstructed his squad in weeks with shop-soiled components. The parts are all in working order, but they lack the magnified vision that gave Austin the edge over his opponents.

In fact, Leeds generally seem bereft of vision, an infectious condition that probably originated in the boardroom. If Sunderland were equally culpable in their performance, they did at least make the one chance that came their way count. “People keep talking about West Ham, Wolves, Leicester and Leeds,” Mick McCarthy, the Sunderland manager, said. “They are big clubs with great fans and a terrific history, but they have not got the teams to match it at the moment. I include us in that as well. We must aspire to do better.”

For Brett Ormerod it was an inauspicious first game on loan at Elland Road from Southampton. He had scored on his debut for his previous clubs — Accrington Stanley, Blackpool and the South Coast team — but he failed to extend that sequence by fluffing a penalty in the 73rd minute.

The penalty had been awarded after Stephen Caldwell had hauled Clarke Carlisle to the ground under the nose of Michael Ryan, the referee. Ormerod stepped up, but Mart Poom, diving to his right, saved a weak spot-kick.

McCarthy expressed relief that a first-half attempt by Brian Deane had been disallowed. It appeared a close call, with Poom and Ormerod in a harmless tussle on the goalline as the veteran forward headed in Danny Pugh’s corner in the eleventh minute. “It might have been different had it been allowed, but Sunderland shaded the second half,” Blackwell said.

Sunderland seized the advantage they just about merited in the 64th minute.Robinson took a quick free kick 35 yards out, received a return pass from Stephen Elliott and finished with a neat shot beyond Neil Sullivan in the Leeds goal.

LEEDS UNITED (4-4-2): N Sullivan — G Kelly, C Carlisle, P Butler, S Crainey — F Richardson (sub: J Joachim, 74min), J Wright, S Gregan, D Pugh — B Deane (sub: M Ricketts, 79), B Ormerod Substitutes not used: S Carson, M Spring, M Duberry. Booked: Ricketts.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2) M Poom — S Wright, G Breen, S Caldwell, G McCartney — D Whitehead, C Robinson, J Whitley, D Carter — C Brown (sub: M Bridges, 81), S Elliott (sub: L Lawrence, 90). Substitutes not used: T Myhre, N Collins, M Lynch. Booked: Caldwell, Wright, Carter.

Referee: M Ryan. Leeds