but the man who scored 21 times in League One last season headed wide after a bad kick from Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson gifted the visitors the ball in a promising position.

The first chance of the game fell Sunderland’s way. Forward Dale directed a header at goal but the ball was held by home keeper Fran Stenson. This chance was followed by a Kitching effort.

Sunderland kept pace at the top of the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-0 win over 10-man Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light. Wilson Isidor’s early goal was ... Isidor had the ball in the net ...