IT may not have been the prettiest of games, but Sunderland eased their way past Chester City, the club propping up the Football League, in front of a record low crowd at the Stadium of Light last night.

An own goal from Sean Hessey was the only difference between the sides in the opening half before the Black Cats made sure of progress in the Carling Cup.

In front of just 11,450 supporters, striker Kevin Kyle rose above the Chester defence to meet Sean Thornton's pin-point corner with a powerful header.

Thornton, making his first start of the season, then played his part in the third goal when Steve Caldwell was on hand to blast a rebound beyond goalkeeper Wayne Brown.

This win may have come against one of League Two's most unfancied outfits, but it could act as the catalyst to Sunderland's season after an alarming start.

Manager Mick McCarthy has been the first to admit that one win in four Championship matches has not been good enough, particularly after the weekend horror show at Plymouth.

But now they can go into Saturday's testing home match with Wigan buoyed by this success and perhaps even inspired by a revitalised Thornton - a fact not lost on his manager.

"Midfield players are nice if they have flair," said McCarthy. "And that's what Sean gives me. But you also need a solid base down the middle and that's why Jeff Whitley plays every week.

"Sean offers me something different but not that same work ethic and determination in the middle that I know I will get from other players. I'm fully aware of that.

"My players need to win the right to play. The type of players we need are those that will keep going and going.

"That's why when Dean (Whitehead) came in to midfield the result was never in any doubt. I was delighted with his performance."

McCarthy clearly learned from his mistakes of last season when Sunderland were knocked out at the second stage of the Carling Cup by Huddersfield Town.

Only 13,516 fans turned out that September evening to witness an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Terriers, when McCarthy fielded a weakened side.

But he was not about to make the same mistake. Only two changes were made to the side that lost at Plymouth on Saturday as the manager aimed to use the cup tie as a confidence booster for his under-performing squad.

Liam Lawrence was rested and that allowed Thornton the chance to shine. The talented midfielder possesses ability in abundance but has been struggling to turn that into consistent performances ever since he moved from Tranmere two seasons ago.

After creating a goal in each of his previous two outings as a substitute, Thornton did not take long to make his mark.

A stinging low right-foot drive had to be expertly turned away by goalkeeper Brown, who then denied the Irishman again when he curled in a trademark free-kick.

But Chester, managed by Thornton's boss at Tranmere Ray Mathias, proved they were eager to impress and it was the quick reactions of Thomas Myhre that denied the Conference champions a goal. The Norwegian dived at ex-Wolves striker Michael Branch's feet after he was put through by midfielder Alan Navarro.

Kyle twice went close. First his dipping shot from the edge of the area dropped just over the bar, then his touch took him just too far around Brown after being put through by Thornton.

Five minutes before the break Sunderland got the stroke of luck they craved. John Oster's free-kick from the right, after Mark Lynch had been fouled, was flicked on by Marcus Stewart. Surprised defender Hessey was helpless to stop the ball rebounding off him and into his own net.

The gloom the heavy downpour brought to Wearside was lifted, and now hopes were of a more convincing display. It didn't materialise, but further goals did.

Thornton's corner fell perfectly for Kyle to power a downward header beyond Brown, and then his free-kick was saved by Brown and Caldwell turned the loose ball home