Sunderland’s third pre-season outing of the summer ended 1-1 on Wednesday evening against York City.
Dan Neil opened the scoring early on, slotting home from Aiden McGeady’s low cross at the LNER Community Stadium.
And after SAFC failed to double their lead, the Minstermen started the second period on the front foot and levelled through Kurt Willoughby.
Benji Kimpioka won a penalty late on after coming off the bench and stepped up to take the kick himself, but the ‘keeper was equal to it and the Lads were held.
Lee Burge replaced Anthony Patterson in the starting XI, with Ollie Younger, Callum Doyle, Tom Flanagan and Tyrese Dyce lining up in defence.
Dan Neil and Elliot Embleton continued in midfield, as new signing Corry Evans made his first start for the Lads
McGeady scored both goals in the Lads’ Tynecastle win and he once again featured from the off, supporting Ross Stewart in attack.
Lee Johnson’s side started bright at a sun-drenched LNER Stadium and created numerous openings inside the first 20 minutes.
The best chance fell to summer signing Evans, who latched onto a pull back before firing straight at the ‘keeper from close-range.
McGeady then forced an opening, cutting in from the left-hand side, only to see his shot deflected wide of the post.
But on the 30-minute mark, the early spell of pressure paid off and Sunderland got their reward.
McGeady and Embleton combined down the left and the former pulled it back to Neil six yards out to slot into the bottom corner.
Prior to the goal, Gooch was replaced by Jack Diamond after picking up an injury and the latter almost made an instant impact as the Lads searched for a second.
He raced from deep in midfield and pulled the ball back to Ross Stewart, whose shot was well blocked by the home side’s stopper.
York raced out of the stalls after the interval and levelled little over five minutes later.
A whipped in free kick evaded everyone and struck the inside of the post, before bouncing kindly to Willoughby who slammed home from inside six yards.
After little in the way of chances, Kimpioka sparked into life and won a penalty three minutes from time after being tripped by the ‘keeper.
But Pete Jameson amended for the foul, keeping out the Swedish forward’s spot kick low to his right-hand side.
Next up for Sunderland in pre-season is a trip to Harrogate Town on Saturday (KO 3pm).
Sunderland: Burge, Younger, Flanagan, Doyle (Richardson 63), Dyce (Newall 79), Gooch (Diamond 26), Neil, Evans (Hawkes 63), Embleton, McGeady (Kimpioka 79), Stewart (O'Brien 63).
Subs not used: Patterson, Taylor, Wilding