How it played out and who impressed as Sunderland battle back to secure Lee Johnson's first win

The contest had started with an all-too familiar frustration for the Black Cats, who went behind when Bobby Grant scored from long range.

Johnson’s side battled back, though, registering their first win in six thanks to goals from Chris Maguire and Josh Scowen.

Lively cameos from Jack Diamond and Will Grigg were the other highlights of a tricky but utlimately successful night for the Black Cats as they begin the task of adapting to a new style under their new boss.

Johnson had vowed to pick a strong side for the game, eager to progress to the last 16 but conscious too that as he begins to embed his playing style, this was a chance for an ‘extended training session’.

Still just days into his tenure, the onus would be on improving the sharpness in front of goal that had been so clearly missing in the 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

There was some late disruption for the new Head Coach, with the Black Cats delayed in their arrival at Boundary Park due to traffic in the area.

They then had to make a late change to the XI, with Dion Sanderson dropping out of the squad.

No reason was officially given, but it had not gone unnoticed that the youngster had featured for Wolves’ U21s earlier in the competition, making him ineligible for selection.

The visitors started slowly, young goalkeeper Anthony Patterson forced into action within three minutes of the kick off. Maguire had played his side into trouble with a poor backpass, allowing Danny Rowe to shoot from distance. Patterson did well to get up to his right and palm clear.

The warning was not needed, though, and the Black Cat were behind ten minutes later.

Bobby Grant was allowed far too much space to drive towards the edge of the area, and his low long-range effort beat Patterson as he moved to his left.

Sunderland had their openings as they tried to restore parity, with Maguire flashing an effort over the bar and Tom Flanagan having a close-range header saved by Lawlor in the Oldham goal.

The Black Cats were enjoying plenty of possession again, but struggling to create the clear cut chances that Johnson was looking for.

Slowly but surely that began to change.

A move away from a back three has allowed Jack Diamond to move into a more natural forward position, and after a sluggish start, he began to stretch the home defence.

One good cross almost yielded a result, but Lawlor denied with Maguire with a superb save at the back post.

The Oldham defence was finally being turned, with McFadzean getting into more advanced areas on the opposite flank. he went close after good build-up play from Will Grigg, but saw an effort blocked.

The pressure finally told minutes later, with Diamond’s low cross from the felt sliced up towards the back post by Oldham defender Raphael Diarra. It was a dangerous ball but a poor clearance, and one that allowed Maguire to convert from just yards out.

It was Sunderland who continued to press for another, with a smart cross from Grigg cleared just as McFadzean stooped to convert.

The away side were beginning to look more composed, though they were indebted to a tremendous covering challenge from Tom Flanagan on the brink of half-time. Oldham had found space on the counter and when Wright was beaten too easily by Grant, the Northern Irishman had to do well to snuff out the danger.

The pattern of the opening exchanges in the second half were much the same as the latter stages of the first half.

Sunderland were enjoying the majority of both possession and territory, with Oldham increasingly happy to sit deep and protect their lead.

It looked as if Sunderland had broken through when Grant Leadbitter found Max Power in the box with a terrific pass, but the midfielder opted to pass when the best option was to shoot.

That missed opening proved not too costly, in the end.

Sunderland were ahead shortly after, grateful for some tremendous pressing from Will Grigg, forcing an error and foul from an Oldham defender.

It was Grigg’s final contribution in what was a tireless shift for his team, with Johnson introducing Charlie Wyke and Aiden McGeady from the bench.

Leadbitter whipped a wonderful free-kick to the near post, where Scowen simply had to make the slightest of connections to beat Lawlor in the Oldham goal.

Harry Kewell’s side were forced into a response, and substitute Conor McAleny went close when he flashed an effort from the edge of the area just over the crossbar.

The Black Cats looked comfortable for the most part, but Patterson had to be alert to make a strong save as the game entered the last ten minutes.

Davis Keillor-Dunn broke into the box after a dangerous counter, and his low shot was deflected up towards goal. Patterson had aready gone to ground, but reactly sharply to get up and claw the effort clear of danger.

That proved to be their last meaningful act of the game, as the Black Cats comfortably held out for an overdue and welcome win ahead of a crucial game against Lincoln City on Saturday.

Sunderland XI: Patterson; McLaughlin, Flanagan, Wright, McFadzean; Leadbitter (Dobson, 69), Power, Scowen; Diamond, Maguire, Grigg (Wyke, 63)

Subs: Matthews, Embleton, Graham, McGeady, Neil

Oldham Athletic XI: Lawlor, Jombati, Piergianni, Diarra, Barnett; Ntambwe, Whelan (Garrity, 67); Keillor-Dunn, Rowe (Fage, 56), Bahamboula (McAleny, 67), Grant

Subs: Bilboe, Garrity, Fage, McAleny, McCalmont, Da Silva, Hamer

Bookings: Diarra, 63 Wright, 80 Grant, 80

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of SAFC coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor