David Connolly's 13th minute goal was enough to give Sunderland a 1-0 victory over the Blues at the Stadium of Light. Despite enjoying a lot of possession, particularly in the second half, Town were unable to get back on terms, the best chance falling to sub Danny Haynes.

Town handed a debut to new signing David Wright at right-back with Alex Bruce dropping to the bench. Billy Clarke was left out allowing Gavin Williams to come into the side, playing a role between Alan Lee and ahead of the midfield four.

The first excitement of a game played in very gusty conditions on a pitch covered in swirling litter came when David Connolly somewhat enthusiastically went to ground inside the Town box, but without impressing referee Lee Mason.

Connolly was close to scoring soon afterwards when played in on the left of the area, but Lewis Price saved with his feet.

Dean Whitehead felt he ought to have had a penalty in the 11th minute but again the referee felt otherwise. Soon after, Price saved a shot from distance from Ross Wallace.

The home side went in front in the 13th minute. Anthony Stokes chased a ball over the top down the right and sent in a cross which was missed by Jason De Vos at the near post before reaching Connolly, who made no mistake from six yards.

De Vos went off for treatment for a blow to the nose, then soon after was involved in a clash with Tobias Hysen which the Swede felt deserved a penalty. Again the referee felt otherwise and spoke to both Hysen and Connolly as the teams lined-up for the goalkick.

Stokes had a shot from a promising position inside the area blocked, before a one-two between Matt Richards and Gary Roberts almost conjured a chance for the Blues but the former Accrington man's cross was cleared. Roberts had by now switched with Williams and was now in the more advanced role.

Williams went wide from 25 yards as the Blues started to improve after Sunderland had enjoyed the better of the first half an hour in conditions which made quality football virtually impossible.

On 33 Roberts sent a freekick from 25 yards straight at the keeper, then a David Wright freekick from halfway fell to Gavin Williams inside the area. The Welshman laid the ball back to Matt Richards, but his two efforts were blocked. From the resultant corner, Richard Naylor headed wide at the far post.

An equaliser prior to half-time wouldn't have been unfair on Town after the home side had deserved their lead on the early balance of play, the goal coming from the game's best chance.

The Blues might have had a call for a penalty in the 50th minute when Alan Lee went past keeper Ward and looked to be fouled but Lee Mason was clearly not in a penalty-giving mood. Soon after, the Town players were unimpressed after Lee appeared to be on the receiving end of an elbow in an aerial clash.

The Blues had started the second half well despite the awful conditions, and even more litter appearing on the pitch, and were looking more of a threat than in the first period. On 61 Danny Haynes replaced Matt Richards and moved up front, Gary Roberts taking over on the left of midfield.

The Blues' best chance came in the 63rd minute. Roberts played the ball down the left for Haynes the chase. The pacy striker took the ball on into the area but his shot was saved by Darren Ward, the ball appearing to loop goalwards until a defender cleared just ahead of Lee.

At the other end, Richard Naylor headed a dangerous cross away ahead of a number of waiting strikers, prior to Darren Currie replacing the tiring Owen Garvan. Currie, set to move to Coventry this month, came in on the right of midfield with Gavin Williams switching to the centre.

Gary Roberts couldn't find himself space in the area to shoot in the 74th minute after being gifted possession, Nyron Nosworthy holding him up and then winning the ball.

Billy Clarke came on for Roberts as the game entered its final 10 minutes, then Price saved twice from Connolly on rare Sunderland attacks.

In the final minute, Williams sent in a wind-assisted freekick from halfway, the ball falling for Richard Naylor, but his shot flew narrowly wide.

Town continued to look for the equaliser but Danny Haynes's shot over the bar was the nearest they came to a goal.

A draw would probably have been a fair result with the Blues certainly the better side in the second half. Again though, Town lacked a cutting edge in front of goal and the sooner a new frontman is brought in, the sooner decent performances can be turned into points.

Sunderland tested Price more than the Blues threatened Ward and the only goal of the game came from the match's most clear-cut chance.

New signing David Wright put in a competent display, growing in confidence as the game progressed and showing he has a long throw which could add another dimension to Town's set-piece play, but only as long as there's someone in the side capable of putting the ball in the net.

Town: Price, Wright, Naylor, De Vos, Harding, Roberts (Clarke 81), Williams, Legwinski, Garvan (Currie 71), Richards (Haynes 61), Lee. Unused: Supple, Bruce. Att: 27,604.

Photo: Action Images

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