How it played out as reshuffled Sunderland side are dumped out of the FA Cup

The Black Cats missed some glorious chances in the early stages of the game and piled on the pressure towards the end, but Charlton Athletic loanee George Lapslie’s header early in the second half was enough to secure Mansfield’s first win of the season in any competition.

In truth, they were good value for their win in a game that a reshuffled Sunderland struggled to dominate.

Though Mansfield came into the game in dire straits, two improved performances in recent weeks had drawn a warning from Phil Parkinson that there could no complacency.

While not appointed in time to take his place in the dug-out, the arrival of Nigel Clough was always likely to draw a lift from an experienced squad eager to impress their new manager.

Phi Parkinson had also named an unfamiliar XI, one with eight changes but more than enough quality and experience to progress to the second round.

Mansfield started well, lively on the break and not afraid to commit players to the counter attack.

There were one or two early scares for the home side, with Remi Matthews uncertain on his return to the side. The Black Cats goalkeeper was fortunate that one poor clearance from a corner deflected just wide off the head of a Mansfield player.

Sunderland, though, were a threat of their own, Danny Graham twice going within inches of opening up a lead in the opening ten minutes.

The first was a superb effort, meeting a clever pass inside the box from Will Grigg. The ball looked to be under his feet, but he did well to turn a first time effort onto the post.

The second was a gilt-edged opening.

Callum McFadzean was looking lively on his debut, mirroring Denver Hume in his aggressive positioning and his willingness to drive into the box.

He did superbly to twist and turn away from his marker, standing up a cross to the back post. Graham was merely a yard out, but got under the ball and turned his header onto the woodwork.

Fortunate not to be behind, Mansfield did well to hold their nerve and press forward.

Left-back Benning had an effort of his own, driving forward and flashing a low drive wide of the far post from just outside the box.

They forged an even greater opening just before the half hour, with Jordan Bowery volleying a low cross from the right over the bar. It was a big chance missed, and a warning sign for a Sunderland side who were carrying an attacking threat but looked loose out of possession.

They continued to threaten down the left, though, and McFadzean drew a fine low save from Marek Stech as he broke into the box again.

He was the bright spark in a mixed half from the hosts, who found themselves behind within minutes of the restart.

Mansfield served notice threat immediately, with McLaughlin forcing a good low stop from Matthews as he cut inside from the right.

Within moments, a wonderful cross from Gordon on the same flank was met emphatically by Lapslie, whose thumping header left Matthews with no chance in the Sunderland goal.

Sunderland responded with industry, but not a huge amount of guile.

There were some threatening surges down the right from Diamond, but little threat within the penalty box.

Parkinson reshuffled his options, and there was almost an instant result as substitutes Embleton and Wyke combined wonderfully to open up the visiting defence.

Wyke played the ball into the box, where Diamond had advanced into space.

He looked certain to score, but drove his effort into the side netting after opting for power rather than placement.

The home side had been let off moments before after a good break, McLaughlin doing superbly to hook a cross clear just as Bowery looked certain to score.

Mansfield were unsurprisingly increasingly happy to absorb the pressure, taking time out of the contest where they could and looking mainly to play on the counter.

Sunderland lifted the tempo, and shpould have equalised with five minutes to play when Embleton dropped deep and curled a wonderful cross towards the penalty spot. Wyke was free, but his header was straight at the goalkeeper who was able to clear.

Embleton’s breezy cameo, and the strong debut from McFadzean, were two of the only positives from a desperately disappointing afternoon for the Black Cats.

They put the away side under intense pressure during the closing moments, but failed to create any clear openings.

Sunderland XI: Matthews; Sanderson, McLaughlin, Flanagan; Diamond, Dobson, Power, McFadzean (O’Brien, 74); Maguire (Embleton, 65), Grigg, Graham (Wyke, 65)

Subs: Burge, Willis, Neil, Leadbitter

Mansfield Town XI: Stech; Gordon, Rawson, Perch, Benning; Charsley, Lapslie, Maris; Bowery, McLaughlin, Maynard (O’Keeffe, 81)

Subs: Reid, O’Driscoll, Sinclair, Stone, Cook, Menayese

Bookings: Graham, 24 Maris, 33 Benning, 54

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