Carlisle United 1 Sunderland 2

IT was a night of firsts for Sunderland when Simon Grayson was thankful to two youngsters and an experienced shot-stopper for helping to avoid a Carabao Cup shocker at Brunton Park.

Carlisle United, of League Two, pushed their Championship opponents all the way and threatened to force the second round tie to extra time, but the Black Cats eventually edged over the line.

Dutch debutant Robbin Ruiter made a number of good stops to keep Carlisle at bay to pave the way for a hard-earned victory, while Jack Bonham at the other end made good saves of his own.

Full-back Donald Love put Sunderland, who had made ten changes to the side which lost to Leeds on Saturday, ahead with his first senior goal in 27 appearances as a professional with Manchester United, Wigan and now the Black Cats in the 25th minute.

Carlisle battled their way back to equalise on the hour when Papy Djilobodji’s misery in a Sunderland shirt continued. He conceded a penalty for Danny Grainger to eventually force over the line after his initial kick was saved.

But versatile American Lynden Gooch popped up on the right, having started centrally, and cut inside to exquisitely dispatch a curling left-foot finish inside Bonham’s bottom right corner ten minutes from the end to guide Sunderland through. It was also his first senior goal.

It was clear it was going to be a tough night for Sunderland in the early exchanges.

Carlisle enjoyed a decent half an hour spell, after Wahbi Khazri had wasted an early chance by missing the target from inside the area, when it looked like the hosts would edge ahead.

Carlisle, clearly encouraged by a decision to make wholesale changes to rest some of those who have started the Championship season well, looked determined to make the most of Grayson’s generosity.

It never turned out that way, but things could easily have been different had the Cumbrians made the most of their spell when they put the Sunderland penalty area under a lot of pressure.

Right winger Jamie Devitt, Nicky Adams on the other flank and striker Reggie Lambe were the main sources of danger at that point, but they found the Dutch goalkeeper, signed as a free agent this month, in no mood to be beaten.

Ruiter, who has had to bide his time so far having arrived after Jason Steele, was on hand to prevent Adams from beating him at the back post with his legs. His best save was a flying one-hander at the top corner to stop Devitt’s volley from hitting the net.

Those proved crucial as Sunderland soon found their feet. Khazri was first to go close when his low drive was well held by Ruiter’s opposite number Bonham.

But Bonham could do nothing about the opener. Sunderland players had pressed in the Carlisle half, Gooch worked his way past his marker to the byline and the low delivery was perfect for Love to touch into the centre of the net from close range.

Sunderland’s selection and system had got them in front and they could have been two up before another heavy spell of Carlisle pressure meant the visitors were fortunate to be ahead at half-time.

Gooch saw an effort from distance turned behind by Bonham, while the Carlisle keeper made a brilliant save when he rushed off his line to prevent Joel Asoro from making the most of being put clear by his team-mate’s through pass.

Despite plenty of positive signs going forward, it was still alarming how easily Carlisle created chances against a Sunderland backline that had three centre-backs for the first time this season. Love and Bryan Oviedo, back after a calf injury, operated down the line.

Only Ruiter’s quick thinking – when he raced out to thwart Devitt who had beaten the offside trap – and the post – when Lambe hit the woodwork from an unmarked position – ensured Sunderland remained in front.

The early stages of the second half was a tighter affair until Djilobodji struck. Grayson and Keith Curle, the Carlisle manager, must have demanded improvements at the back from their sides and they got it.

A ball into the Sunderland area looked harmless enough but Djilobodji flattened Richie Bennett when it looked like Ruiter was around to deal with it. Referee Darren Bond was on the spot to award a penalty and Grainger smashed in the rebound after his initial effort was stopped.

Immediately after that Ruiter had to make a couple of other point blank saves that would have seen Sunderland behind; he was on hand to gather under pressure from the excellent Devitt and Adams.

Those proved crucial as once Grayson had switched to a flat back four by introducing Aiden McGeady, James Vaughan and Lamine Kone, Sunderland settled again and were indebted to Gooch for his timely intervention in the final third.

There was a nervy moment in the dying seconds when Kone barged over Bennett in the box, but Bond refused to award a second penalty and Sunderland held on to go through.