Sunderland Under-21s fell to a 2-0 defeat away at Nottingham Forest on Monday night in the Premier League 2.
Two goals in the space of 11 second-half minutes from Lamin Sillah and Adam Berry sealed Forest’s victory.
Graeme Murty made seven changes from Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against RSC Anderlecht Futures, with Ethan Moore, Felix Scott and Rhys Walsh all returning to the starting 11 to spearhead the attack.
The Lads saw the first real opportunity of the match, as Moore’s darting run forward led to a low teasing cross, which narrowly evaded Scott only yards from goal.
Moore tested the Forest ‘keeper once again, but his drilled effort rifled into the gloves of Luke Campbell.
The hosts began to dominate proceedings but failed to create anything that really troubled Ben Metcalf, with Zyan Blake’s header missing the target.
In the second half, Forest continued to see the better openings, as Berry’s deflected effort fell into the gloves of Metcalf, before Jimmy Sinclair’s curling shot was punched away.
After 71 minutes, Forest took the lead, when Sillah dribbled past one Sunderland defender, before side-footing a finish past Metcalf.
The Lads sought a response, as Jack Whittaker’s shot dropped into the midriff of Campbell, before Moore drilled an effort goalwards; only to be denied by the Forest ‘keeper.
However, the hosts doubled their lead, when Berry drove into the penalty area, before firing an effort past Metcalf and into the near post.
The Lads return to PL2 action on Friday night, as they host league-leaders Ipswich Town at Eppleton (7pm kick-off).
Sunderland U21: Metcalf, Holcroft, Kindon, Johnson (Neild 51’), Lightfoot, Burke (Jaydon Jones 45’), Middlemas, Whittaker (Dinsdale 87’), Moore, Scott (Waters 74‘), Walsh
Subs not used: Cowan