Sunderland AFC U23 1-1 Mansfield Town U23
Sunderland Under-23s came from behind to earn a point in the Premier League Cup group stage on Monday night, as Mansfield Town visited in the fourth matchday of Group E.
Tyrese Dyce netted the all-important equaliser after Joshua Scott's opener for the Stags - the young Lads now sit level with Mansfield on four points from four games, with remaining clashes with Wigan Athletic and Leeds United.
With Will Harris and Ellis Taylor sidelined and Patrick Almond suspended, Stephen Wearne led the line up top whilst Cameron Jessup partnered Ollie Younger in the heart of the defence. Sam Wilding captained the side, with Jack McIntyre selected to start in goal.
Wearne's fourth-minute effort, saved by Louie Turner after beating two players, along with a free-kick struck into the wall by Benji Kimpioka were the only chances of note in the early stages, before McIntyre was called into action to take in a free-kick of Mansfield's own - Tyrese Sinclair with the effort just before the break.
Opportunities on goal picked up as the second half went on, Wearne firing over from inside the area just 90 seconds after the restart, and Kimpioka's shot from 10 yards being headed clear on the line from Richard Nartey.
The opening goal arrived after 57 minutes - Sinclair's ball across from the right was merely hesitated towards by the Sunderland defence, allowing Scott to steal in at the near post and fire the visitors in front.
But the lead only lasted moments, as Dyce rediscovered his goalscoring touch to smash home from a goalmouth scramble - the goal which would prove crucial to the current outlook on the group table.
As both sides sought the win, Tom Scott forced Turner into a smart save with a stern effort from 20 yards out, before substitute Vinnie Steels arrowed a shot wide under pressure just inside the box.
Mansfield saw one final chance go amiss with seconds to spare after Jack Deakin had won possession and got a strike away, only to be thwarted by McIntyre.
The U23s return to Eppleton this Friday in Premier League 2 action, taking on Aston Villa - who the young Lads have already beaten at Bodymoor Heath this season, a Harris hat-trick securing a 3-2 win.
SUNDERLAND AFC: McIntyre; Kachosa, Jessup, Younger, Dunne; Wilding (c), Sohna; Kimpioka, Scott, Dyce; Wearne (Steels 72').
Subs not used: Carney, Kelly, Johnson, Newall.