The Black Cats crashed to their tenth successive defeat and the loss merely rubberstamped the writing which had been on the wall for much of the campaign.
After Sean Thornton squandered a sound opportunity for the visitors, Bryan Hughes put the Blues ahead a minute before half-time when he lobbed home from 25 yards.
As usual, Sunderland were not lacking in endeavour but had no response to the hosts and French ace Dugarry made it two just before the hour mark.
Blues were eager to rub salt into Sunderland's wounds and Geoff Horsfield had a goal chalked off for offside.
In the closing stages, The Black Cats were also reduced to ten men as Marcus Stewart received his marching orders for a wild hack on Stern John.
