SUNDERLAND conceded the Raich Carter Trophy at Hull last night and, after watching yet another disappointing display in front of goal, boss Mick McCarthy must be wishing he had someone with the attacking instincts of one of the club's favourite sons.

Carter's eye for goal was sorely missing as Sunderland's shot-shy strikeforce drew a blank for the third game in five during a disappointing pre-season campaign.

There will be no panic buttons pressed yet but, with the start of the season drawing ever closer, the Black Cats still look to be lacking the kind of natural goalscorer who could go a long way towards securing Premiership survival.

After a variety of line-ups and formations produced mixed results on the tour of North America, McCarthy turned to the bulk of last season's Championship-winning side in an attempt to get his side's preparations back on track.

The ploy failed and, while it is tempting to read too much into a meaningless friendly in late July, the Black Cats' boss will surely step up his attempts to sign the "one or two" players he feels his squad still lacks.

Nine of last night's starting XI also kicked off against Stoke City as the Black Cats celebrated winning the title in May, with goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and striker Jon Stead the only newcomers.

A fully-fit Tommy Miller could well start against Charlton on the opening day but, should further arrivals fail to materialise, the bulk of last night's side will be asked to provide the Black Cats with a winning start to life in the Premiership on August 13.

It is to be hoped they start that game better than they began last night's encounter. Less than five minutes had elapsed when George McCartney's immobility allowed Ryan France to cut in from the right and curl a shot narrowly wide of the upright, and worse was to come four minutes later.

Nick Barmby's headed flick-on caught Sunderland's back four horribly square, granting Craig Fagan a free run on goal before the Hull striker lashed a venomous drive past a helpless Davis.

Both Gary Breen and Steve Caldwell looked decidedly ring-rusty during a low-key first half - perhaps unsurprising given their lack of football so far this summer - while McCartney struggled before being withdrawn in the 24th minute.

The Northern Ireland international, who missed the tour of North America because of injury, now has two-and-a-half weeks to shake off his hamstring problem.

"George was given a clean bill of health at the start of the week," said McCarthy. "He trained on Tuesday and trained well, but he has had a problem with the tendon just below his hamstring. It has flared up again and that is a cause for concern."

Sunderland had chances of their own before the break, with Dean Whitehead planting a free header over the crossbar following Liam Lawrence's corner and Chris Brown hooking a half-volley over an empty net after goalkeeper Bo Myhill had dropped the ball.

After McCarthy made nine half-time changes, Daryl Murphy rattled the crossbar with a header from Martin Woods' cross.

Sunderland (4-4-2): Davis (Alnwick 46), Wright (Christensen 46), Breen (Smith 68), Caldwell (N Collins 46), McCartney (Welsh 24), Lawrence (Piper 46), Whitehead (Miller 46), Robinson (Woods 46), Arca (D Collins 46), Stead (Elliott 46), Brown (Murphy 46).

Result: Hull City 1 Sunderland 0.

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