Sunderland had to come from behind to defeat Northern Premier League side Darlington this evening.

Darlington opened the scoring after eight minutes when Stephen Thompson beat Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from 20 yards.

Ten minutes later, Adam Mitchell lobbed the ball into the net to give Darlo a shock 2-0 lead.

The Black Cats pulled a goal back in the 23rd minute when Emanuele Giaccherini volleyed into the net.

Danny Graham levelled the scores shortly after the start of the second half, but Darlington had a great chance to regain the lead just three minutes later.

Kieron Brady gave away a penalty but Thompson's spot kick was saved by Vito Mannone.

Half-time substitute Connor Wickham gave Sunderland the lead for the first time on the hour mark when he beat the offside trap and finished one on one.

Giaccherini added his second of the game with 20 minutes remaining, beating the keeper from 20 yards.