An early brace from Charlie Wyke and a goal from Max Power weren't enough for the Black Cats on what was a dramatic afternoon at the Stadium of Light.
But who were the star performers, and who has work to do?
Our chief football writer Phil Smith has dished out his marks from the match – scroll down and flick through the pages of our picture gallery to see how each player fared:
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Who impressed for Sunderland against Accrington Stanley? Photo: FRANK REID 2019
. Lee Burge
Beaten by a superb free-kick but Lee Johnson clearly felt his goalkeeper should have done better. Made one good save early on but across the pitch, the second half was nowhere near good enough. Not convincing. 4 Photo: FRANK REID 2020
. Max Power
Broke forward well in the closing stages and looked to have snatched a winner, only for Accrington to find another equaliser moments later. Sunderland need more defenders back and quickly. 5 Photo: FRANK REID 2020
. Luke O'Nien
Hard to know where the blame lay for the second goal, O’Nien’s header drifting past Burge with neither under pressure. It was a costly error. 4 Photo: FRANK REID 2020
. Bailey Wright
Beaten too easily by Charles early on but did steady. Improved form his recent displays but at the back Sunderland look a soft touch at the moment. 5 Photo: FRANK REID 2019
. Denver Hume
A key player in the opening exchanges, providing another attacking outlet and pushing Accrington Stanley back. Tired in the second half but that he completed 90 minutes was one of the few eventual positives for Sunderland. 5 Photo: Frank Reid
5. Denver Hume
A key player in the opening exchanges, providing another attacking outlet and pushing Accrington Stanley back. Tired in the second half but that he completed 90 minutes was one of the few eventual positives for Sunderland. 5 Photo: Frank Reid
6. Josh Scowen
Another game where aspects of his game were good, pressing excellently early on. Still not enough composure on the ball and in the second half Sunderland found themselves almost entirely overrun. 5 Photo: FRANK REID 2019
7. Carl Winchester
Started brightly and played an integral part in the first goal, his pressing crucial to winning the ball and opening up the Accrington defence. Faded as the game developed and needs to be having a bigger impact on games. Has the talent but seems to need a bit more belief. 5 Photo: FRANK REID 2020
8. Lynden Gooch
Started the game superbly, standing a good cross up to the back post where Charlie Wyke was able to head his side into the lead. Looked a threat whenever he got the ball through the first half, but quiet at the start of the second as Accrington took control and was sacrificed when Leadbitter was introduced. 7 Photo: FRANK REID 2019