Sunderland clawed back a two-goal deficit to beat Gateshead and make it two pre-season wins out of two within a matter of hours. The Black Cats had already recovered to win 4-3 after conceding first at South Shields, and at the International Stadium they got off to a worse start with Heed scoring two quickfire goals midway through the first half.
Connor Pani's deflected shot gave the hosts the lead, before Adam Campbell added the second a couple of minutes later. But Dan Neil pulled a goal back before half-time, and Niall Huggins equalised soon after the hour.
Substitute Michael Spellman then scored what turned out to be the winner ten minutes from the end. Summer signing from Birmingham City Jobe Bellingham started, giving Sunderland fans their first chance to see the 17-year-old midfielder.
READ MORE: Gateshead 2-3 Sunderland LIVE - Black Cats complete back-to-back wins in pre-season double-header
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Alex Bass 6
Couldn't get near the goals and didn't have too much else to do
Zak Johnson 6
The only youngster in the side and did a decent job on the right of the back three
Dan Ballard 7
Stepped in to make some important challenges
Joe Anderson 6
Did OK on the left side of the back three
Trai Hume 7
Played at right wingback and got up and down the flank
Niall Huggins 7
Impressed in central midfield, and scored the second goal
Dan Neil 7
Worked hard and his goal just before half-time came at an important time
Jewison Bennette 6
Eased back into it after recovering from his dislocated shoulder
Patrick Roberts 7
Lively going foward and caused Gateshead problems
Jobe Bellingham 7
Some neat touches and looked sharp. Showed a lot of promise
Alex Pritchard 6
Played a role for the team, and provided the assist for Neil
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Subs
Adam Richardson
For Bass 63mins.
Harry Fieldson
For Ballard 63mins.
Callum Wilson
For Hume 63mins.
Max Thompson
For Bennette 63mins.
Oliver Bainbridge
For Anderson 73mins.
Josh Robertson
For Huggins 73mins.
Michael Spellman
For Roberts 73mins.
Luke Bell
For Neil 78mins.
Teemu Tutierov
For Johnson 78mins.
Tom Chiabi
For Bellingham 78mins.
Jack Whittaker
For Pritchard 78mins.
Not used: Sakete, Jones, Waters
