Sunderland Under-23s fell to a 6-0 defeat to Middlesbrough Under-23s at the Academy of Light on an afternoon to forget.
The visitors raced out of the stalls and had a two-goal advantage after just 10 minutes, with goals from Isiah Cornet and Isaac Fletcher.
Skipper Anthony Patterson saved a spot-kick from Hayden Hackney soon after to keep the Lads in the game, but Boro quickly had a three-goal cushion when Roman Burrell volleyed home.
Mitchell Curry had the chance to pull one back moments later, but his effort was well saved from Brad James.
And Boro made it four on the stroke of half time when Fletcher grabbed his second, volleying home from close-range.
The visitors made it five when Burrell bagged his second, and 10 minutes from time Fletcher completed his hat-trick to make it an afternoon to forget at the Academy of Light.
Next up for Sunderland in the Premier League 2 is Fulham at the Academy of Light next Monday.
Sunderland: Patterson, Wombwell, Dunne, Beaumont (Harris 52), B Taylor, Almond, Kimpioka, Hackett (Watts 85), Curry (E Taylor 87), Hawkes, Wearne
Subs not used: Bond, Baggs