The striker scored three goals during a dozen games on loan with Chesterfield and returned to fire one of the goals in Sunderland's 2-0 Durham Challenge Cup final win over Gateshead on Tuesday.

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Still only 19, the Bishop Auckland-born forward was pleased to get his first taste of senior football with the Spireites, who finished just outside the League Two play-offs this season.

Dowson said: "It was a good experience and I enjoyed it.

"It is better to play a bit of league football and get the chance to test yourself against older, more experienced players.

"Most of the players were older and physically stronger than me and you have to try to get round that by improving your movement.

"I think it has done me a lot of good. Now I'm back at Sunderland, hopefully I can try to impressed the manager and coaching staff when we're in for pre-season and try to push for the first team."

Billy Dennehy fired Sunderland to a first-half lead against Gateshead before Dowson put the issue beyond doubt after the break at the Stadium of Light.

After mastering an awkward ball close to the halfway line, the teenager swept a pass out to strike partner Martyn Waghorn on the right before continuing a strong run into the box and firing home from Waghorn's well-weighted return pass.

"It was a good feeling," he said. "We didn't play play our best in the final, but we've done quite well through the tournament and it's nice to get some reward.

"Gateshead gave us our strongest challenge in the competition and played some good football. Trevor Carson kept us in it with a couple of great saves, but we had a few chances and perhaps should have scored more."
- IAN LAWS