Charlie Wyke scored the only goal of the game just before the hour mark to send the Black Cats up to fifth in League One. Our SAFC writer Phil Smith has dished out his player ratings following the match – scroll down and flick through the pages to see who shone and struggled:
5. Joel Lynch - 6
A physical presence and won most of his headers, an attribute particularly important as the game went on and Tranmere fired more and more balls forward. 6 Photo: JPI Media
6. Denver Hume - 6
Gave little up defensively and that was important on a night where he was never going to be able to drive forward as he likes to do at his best. 6 Photo: JPI Media
7. Max Power - 7
Game rather passed him by in the first half but in the second he was excellent. It was not a night for playing football in midfield and his most important work was offering defensive cover and thundering into challenges, which he did very well. 7 Photo: Lewis Storey
8. George Dobson - 5
Unfortunate to see yellow for a very soft foul early in the contest, but struggled in possession throughout a tough start to the game. Improved after the break. 5 Photo: FRANK REID 2020