Sunderland made it through to the third round of the Carabao Cup, but they were made to work hard for it by Carlisle United.

Goals came from Donald Love and Lynden Gooch, either side of Danny Grainger’s goal for the hard-working League Two side, earned Sunderland a 2-1 victory on the road.

It was Love’s goal which saw the Black Cats leading at the break. His 24th minute strike was his first goal in red and white since his switch from Manchester United 12 months ago.

Carlisle were not making it an easy night for Simon Grayson’s side, however. On debut, Robbin Ruiter was forced into making a number of good saves in the first 45.

And the Cumbrians’ pressure paid off in the second half.

Papy Djilobodji with the foul inside the area earned the hosts a penalty. Again Ruiter was on hand to make the save, but Grainger made amends by finishing the rebound to level things up.

But Sunderland were saved any blushes by young USA international Lynden Gooch who scored a superb goal in the 80th minute, well worthy of being the match winner. He cut inside of the box before producing a calm, curled finish - also his first for the club.

It was certainly far from easy but Sunderland made it through.

Grayson made ten changes from the side that lost to Leeds. So did any of the players coming in impress?

Here’s how James Hunter rated the Sunderland players.

Time Line

Carlisle 1-2 Sunderland: Player ratings

  1. Ruiter - 8

    An excellent debut, making several fine saves – including from a penalty

  2. Matthews - 6

    Played as a right-sided centre-back and did reasonably well

  3. Djilobodji - 4

    Nervous and edgy all evening, and conceded the penalty which led to Carlisle’s equaliser

  4. O'Shea - 6

    A calming presence as the middle man of the three centre-backs

  5. Love - 6

    Right wing-back role gave him licence to get forward, and he scored his first goal for the club

  6. Oviedo - 6

    Looked solid operating as a left wing-back on his comeback from injury, but went off as a precaution after his calf tightened

  7. Ndong - 7

    Worked hard and gave his usual all-action performance in the middle of the park

  8. Gibson - 6

    Anchored the midfield and kept the ball moving

  9. Khazri - 5

    Did not take his opportunity to shine. Gave the ball away too easily, too often

  10. Gooch - 7

    Lively in midfield and linked up well with Asoro, particularly in the first half

  11. Asoro - 6

    Did well in the first half and should have scored when one-on-one. Faded in the second period

  12. Kone - 7

    For Love 66mins. A tower of strength at the back in the latter stages

  13. Vaughan - 6

    For Asoro 66mins. Offered a more physical option up front

  14. McGeady - 6

    For Oviedo 72mins. Did OK after Oviedo had to go off as a precaution

Not used: Stryjek, Jones, Honeyman, Embleton

CARLISLE UNITED: Bonham 7, Liddle 6, Ellis 6, Parkes 7, Grainger 6, Devitt 6 (S Miller 85, 6), Joyce 7 (Hope 85, 6), Jones 6, Adams 7 (Kennedy 88, 6), Bennett 7, Lambe 6. Subs not used: George, T Miller, Nabi, Cosgrove