The Black Cats took a first-half lead when Alex Pritchard converted an excellent free-kick, yet the visitors couldn’t make their advantage count.
Second-half goals from Cheltenham’s Elliot Bonds and Alfie May turned the game on its head.
Sunderland right-back Trai Hume made his debut for the club, while Jay Matete and Jack Clarke were handed their first starts.
Our chief SAFC writer Phil Smith has delivered his verdict on how each player fared at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium:
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Sunderland right-back Trai Hume made his debut for the club, while Jay Matete and Jack Clarke were handed their first starts.
13. Patrick Roberts (sub) - 5
One or two neat flicks but couldn’t produce anything in the final third. Changes should have been made earlier with Sunderland labouring. 5 Photo: FRANK REID PHOTOGRAPHER 2022
14. Jermain Defoe (sub) - N/A
Drew one decent save from Evans but was otherwise unable to get into the game late on. N/A Photo: JPI Media
