SUNDERLAND have just eight games to prevent relegation to the Championship after losing yet another game at the Stadium of Light.

This time Preston, who are two points shy of a play-off spot, could leave Wearside with three points after basically being handed the victory in the first quarter of an hour of the second half.

North End’s striker Sean Maguire (50) and winger Callum Robinson (63) were both afforded far too much space in the Sunderland area to head in goals that piled the misery on the Black Cats.

Sandwiched in between those there was a second red card for Jake Clarke-Salter, playing his first game after a three-match ban, and that means another two-game suspension for the England Under-21 defender.

Now Sunderland - absolutely dire in the second half - are still faced with a five point gap to eradicate, plus a poorer goal difference, to avoid the fall into the third tier.

Sunderland had been given hope beforehand because Millwall’s victory at Barnsley presented a chance to close that gap. That was meaningless in the end.

Preston, though, had their own eyes set on the battle for a play-off spot with a number of clubs including Millwall.

Sunderland manager Chris Coleman wanted to see spirit and his players showed that, with teenager Joel Asoro and young midfielder Ovie Ejaria key players.

There weren’t many clear chances in the first period. Sunderland’s was first. Liverpool loanee Ejaria curled pass in behind and Asoro’s pace got him in control but his effort was turned behind for a corner by goalkeeper Chris Maxwell.

Preston could have scored seconds later. Winger Tom Barkhuizen, who caused problems down the right, was played in by Callum Robinson but goalkeeper Lee Camp – who replaced suspended Jason Steele – raced to stop.

Before the break the nearest either side came to scoring was when Bryan Oviedo’s low effort was held by Maxwell, while Ben Davies and Paul Huntington headed over from set-pieces for Preston.

Sunderland’s first half promise was soon undone moments after the restart when Lee Cattermole conceded a free-kick deep in his own half. Paul Gallagher sent over the set piece and Maguire was left totally unmarked to head in at the back post.

And things were to get worse. No sooner had Clarke-Salter, cautioned in the first half, been sent off for the second time for pulling back Alan Browne on the hour, Preston went further ahead.

Barkhuizen’s delivery to the back post was ideal for Robinson to head in, although once again he was left in acres of space to beat Camp.

After that, despite a couple of attacking changes and a free-kick from Kazenga LuaLua that has to be saved, there was no way back and as fans left the Stadium of Light it felt like another day when they have edged closer to League One.

SUNDERLAND (3-5-2): Camp; Kone, O’Shea, Clarke-Salter; Matthews, Cattermole, Ejaria (McGeady 76), Honeyman (LuaLua 69), Oviedo; Asoro, Maja (Fletcher 63). Subs (not used): Stryjek (gk), McNair, McManaman, Robson.

PRESTON NORTH END (4-3-2-1): Maxwell; Fisher, Huntington, Davies, Earl; Gallagher (Johnson 72), Pearson; Robinson (Harrop 86), Browne, Barkhuizen (Bodin 86); Maguire. Subs (not used): Hudson, Woods, Clarke, Moult.