Sunderland suffered defeat on the road as they were beaten by Preston North End in the Sky Bet Championship.
The first away trip of the season saw nearly 6,000 supporters make the trip to Deepdale.
Preston opened the scoring through a 25-minute goal from Will Keane, with Jack Clarke converting a penalty five minutes later to make it equal at the interval.
Mads Frokjaer’s 60th-minute goal meant the hosts claimed the three points.
A regular pattern of the half, Sunderland kept possession well – the 20-minute mark saw Clarke beat his man – Cirkin’s header from the resulting corner went over the bar.
Minutes later, a flurry of chances came the Lads’ way, with Ekwah’s effort cannoning towards goal, forcing a stop from Freddie Woodman.
The hosts took the lead 25 minutes in as Mads Frokjaer’s shot deflected off Keane and past Anthony Patterson.
Tony Mowbray’s side responded well, continuing to push the hosts back.
Clarke beat his marker and was pulled down in the box to win a penalty, with the winger firing the spot kick into the bottom corner to equalise the scoring.
The Black Cats continued after the break in the same vein - Ekwah unleashed another left-footed effort three minutes into the half, the shot this time fizzing past the post.
Preston took the lead again 59 minutes in, with Preston breaking on the counter – the ball ended up at the feet of Frokjaer who slotted his shot underneath Patterson.
The Lads had a huge opportunity to equalise in the 74th minute, with Clarke picking Patrick Roberts out, but his first-time shot was saved by the leg of Woodman.
The resulting corner saw Pritchard’s cross find the head of O’Nien, but his effort flew just past the near post.
Despite late Sunderland pressure, the home side stood firm and held onto their lead.
Mowbray’s side are still looking for their first point of the season, with Rotherham next up in the league at the Stadium of Light next Saturday.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, O’Nien, Cirkin, Ekwah (Ba 75’), Neil, Roberts, Jobe (Pritchard 65’), Clarke, Dack (Hemir 65’).
Subs not used: Bishop, Triantis, Batth, Huggins, Bennette, Rigg.