Sunderland secure bragging rights against Newcastle United with a late 1-0 victory over their Tyne-Wear rivals at St James' Park - their third in succession.

Adam Johnson's last-minute strike has given Sunderland a memorable 1-0 victory over Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle United at St James' Park this afternoon.

The game looked destined to end in a goalless draw heading into the closing stages, before the Englishman fired home at the death to secure a fourth-successive derby triumph for his side.

Sunderland's Irish defender John O'Shea celebrates at the final whistle with goal-scorer, Sunderland's English midfielder Adam Johnson after the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park in Newcastle-u © Getty Images

Moussa Sissoko created Newcastle's first chance for himself when he exchanged passes with Sammy Ameobi to burst into the box, before seeing Costel Pantilimon make a comfortable low save.

Sunderland improved as the game progressed, and they should have taken the lead when a free kick to the back post caught Newcastle goalkeeper Jak Alnwick out of position, but Connor Wickham could only head wide.

The Black Cats came even closer to breaking the deadlock when Jordi Gomez lobbed the ball to Steven Fletcher, who rattled the crossbar with a volley on the turn.

Wickham, once again playing from the left for the visitors, cut inside to threaten the hosts with a powerful effort which Alnwick managed to tip just past his near post.

Ayoze Perez of Newcastle United is challenged by Lee Cattermole of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on December 21, 2014 © Getty Images

Ayoze Perez was offered very little service in the first half, but the Spanish forward almost made a vital contribution before the break when he curled inches wide from the edge of the box.

There was still time for Sunderland to create one more opportunity as Alnwick made a comfortable save to collect Wickham's header from a Santiago Vergini cross.

Steven Taylor of Newcastle United lies on the ground injured after colliding with the post during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on December 21, 2014 in © Getty Images

Sunderland squandered a big opportunity to break the deadlock shortly after the restart when Gomez fired high and wide when picked out by Fletcher in a decent position, 10 yards from goal.

The game remained end-to-end for large periods, and Pantilimon was forced into making an impressive stop to deny Perez's curling effort on the hour, while also saving youngster Adam Armstrong's low drive.

The Black Cats, who had picked up successive 3-0 victories at this venue coming into this afternoon's meeting, created chances of their own, with Johnson darting into the opposition box before curling his shot wide of the post.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet celebrates the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sunderland at St James' Park on December 21, 2014 © Getty Images

Newcastle were the side asking all the questions in the final 10 minutes, as Sunderland became more reserved and seemingly happy to settle for a share of the spoils, until Johnson fired home in the final minute of play to round off a fine counter-attacking move from the visitors and steal them all three points.

Gus Poyet's charges, who have now beaten their arch-rivals four times in a row for the first time ever, climb up to 14th in the Premier League table, while Newcastle remain in ninth place.