Preston 0-2 Sunderland

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Thornton poked home the opener

Goals from Sean Thornton and Marcus Stewart saw Sunderland secure a fine win at Preston that helps them avoid a place in the record books.

The Black Cats went into the game on the back of 17 successive league defeats.

And a loss against Preston would have seen them match Darwen's record of 18 straight losses in the 1898-1899 season.

But they rarely looked like slipping up against Craig Brown's side after Thornton put them ahead after just four minutes.

Stewart doubled their lead four minutes before the break and they held on to give manager Mick McCarthy a long-awaited first league win in charge.

McCarthy's men, who had failed to score in their opening two Nationwide Division One matches, got off to a flying start at Deepdale.

Stewart outmuscled Preston defender Michael Jackson on the left wing before cutting in and forcing Jonathan Gould into a terrific reflex save to deny his thumping right-foot shot.

However Thornton snapped up the rebound to tap the ball into an empty net.

I apologise to Darwen for not taking that record off your hands. But I'm delighted for my side and very proud Mick McCarthy

The Wearsiders nearly made it two just moments later.

Matt Piper beat the offside trap, but having raced past Gould he could only smack the ball against the foot of the post from a tight angle.

Preston offered little going forward, although the visitors were lucky to escape when Thornton appeared to handle Eddie Lewis' cross in the penalty area.

Seconds later Sunderland rubbed salt into the wound by doubling their advantage.

Kevin Kyle flicked the ball on and Stewart reacted quickest to thump the ball home from eight yards.

Dickson Etuhu nearly pulled a goal back for Preston just before the break, but his long-range drive fizzed just past the upright with Mart Poom rooted to the spot.

Ricardo Fuller had a frustrating day and his blistering 20-yard drive was kept out by a flying save from Poom.

However Sunderland spurned a late opportunity to finish the match in style when Kilbane tripped over his own feet as he homed in on goal.

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Preston: Gould, Alexander, Jackson, Lucketti, Edwards, McKenna, Etuhu, Keane, Lewis, Fuller, Cresswell. Subs: O'Neil, Lynch, Healy, Davis, Lucas.

Sunderland: Poom, Wright, Breen, Clark, Arca, Piper, Thornton, Thirlwell, Kilbane, Kyle, Stewart. Subs: McCartney, Oster, Ingham, Proctor, Healy.

Referee: T Bates (Stoke on Trent)