Sunderland U21s 2-3 Newcastle United U21s
Sunderland AFC Under-21s fell to a 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League 2.
Despite a sensational strike from Corry Evans and a late consolation from Joe Ryder, a double from Kyle Crossley and a headed finish from Cathal Heffernan confirmed defeat at the Academy of Light.
It was the visitors who took the lead on seven minutes. A mix-up at the back allowed Crossley to nick the ball and convert the opener.
The Black Cats asserted dominance on the ball and looked to strike back moments later through Caden Kelly but the forward couldn't find the target.
The equaliser came five minutes before the break as the ball rolled out to Evans who fired into the top corner from around 25 yards out on his return.
Just two minutes later, Kelly was once again involved, this time striking the crossbar from close range before Timothée Pembélé put the ball into the net from an offside position.
The Magpies regained the lead into stoppage time of the first-half as Heffernan headed home the corner ball.
Crossley had his second and his side's third in the final moments. The forward doubled the advantage with a low effort past Nathan Bishop.
Joe Ryder grabbed his third goal in five games in the final seconds of the fixture. Oli Bainbridge providing the cross for a consolation tap-in at the back-post.
Graeme Murty's side will next face Leicester City in the PL2 at Eppleton on Friday evening.
Sunderland AFC: Bishop, Pembele, Lavery, Fieldson, Bainbridge, Evans (Chiabi 45), Ekwah (Ryder 55), Jones, Dack (Watson 55), Kelly (Burke 55), Burstow.
Unused substitutes: Bell