Sunderland are out of the FA Cup after beating beaten by League One side Port Vale

Luke O’Nien said Sunderland’s defeat at Port Vale hurt but praised the home side for their performance in springing a major FA Cup shock.

Sunderland would have booked a place in the quarter final of the competition with a win, but were beaten 1-0 by the side currently rooted to the foot of League One after Ben Waine’s goal from a set play.

“Very disappointing, losing games of football hurts,” O’Nien said.

“Especially the FA Cup, you want to go as far as you can but it wasn't meant to be for us today. I'm still proud of the team, you step across the white line and give everything and sometimes you can't win them. We created our chances today, didn't give them much but we couldn't win the game. I've got to give credit to the opposition, as much as it hurts. I've been in that situation before as the lower-league player trying to beat the Premier League team, they did a good job so we give them respect for that. We've got to move forward.

“We spent four years in this league so know exactly what it's like - the opposition doesn't give you anything and we're really disappointed.”

Sunderland struggled throughout both halves to create clear chances, especially from open play. Dan Ballard twice went close from corner kicks but Sunderland laboured on a poor pitch - O’Nien said it was a disappointed dressing room that would have to learn from the experience and improve.

“You look across the FA Cup with the Premier League teams, there haven't been many settled by more than one goal. We'll pick it apart but I don't want to say too much at the moment, I want to give credit to the opposition. It's their day today and I wish them all the best.

“In the dressing room there it's a little bit of everything. With any game of football there's disappointment when you lose, even if it's training or five-a-side. You use that to move forward and get better, and that's what we've got to do.”

The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.

Régis Le Bris’s verdict on what went wrong in Sunderland’s defeat to Port Vale

"In this competition, it's more about mindset, fighting spirit, rather than the tactical or technical qualities," Le Bris said.

"Probably, we were not consistent enough [in these areas].

“I think some of the players were at their level, but especially to create the solution today, we were not good enough. The pitch levels everything. It's not an excuse, but it is what it is. The conditions are the conditions. Even with that, I think we should have found a solution, and it wasn't the case. For our players, you always need to experience different situations. Sometimes it's tough, and even negative, because of the result. I hope they will learn from this experience.”

Your next Sunderland read: Sunderland player ratings from Port Vale FA Cup defeat