Sunderland 1-0 Walsall

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Marcus Stewart's first-half strike decided a disappointing game with Walsall at the Stadium of Light.

Stewart broke clear before firing past Jimmy Walker to give this Division One game a much-needed lift in a game where chances were at a premium.

The Saddlers had Chris Baird dismissed in first-half stoppage time but Sunderland failed to take advantage of the extra man in a dour second half.

Walsall suffered a major blow with the absence of Paul Merson, who was replaced by Gary Birch and Jamie Vincent was given his debut.

Sunderland controlled much of the possession but struggled to get behind the Saddlers defence and long-range efforts from Jeff Whitley and George McCartney were all they could muster on goal.

Colin Healy then fizzed a shot wide as the game was battled out in midfield.

Kevin Kyle should have put the home side ahead after half an hour when he got on the end of Alan Quinn's cross but headed wide.

The breakthrough came three minutes before half-time when Stewart latched on to Whitley's pass and cut inside Danny Hay before planting a left-footed effort past Walker from the edge of the box.

Hay looked for a quick equaliser but from 30 yards out he shot well wide of Mart Poom's goal and Jorge Leitao also dragged wide in stoppage time.

Valuable win

Baird, on loan from Southampton, was shown a red card in time added on for a bad challenge on John Oster.

Walker had to be on his toes to deny Stewart after the break when he got on the end of Kyle's centre and stabbed a shot goalwards.

Sunderland though failed to make the extra man count and again were restricted to long-range efforts from Whitley and John Oster.

Walker did have to be at his best though to block Stewart's shot after he was given a rare chance on the hour mark.

The final half hour was mainly battled out in midfield and Sunderland were able to hold on for another valuable win.

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Sunderland: Poom, McCartney, Bjorklund, Breen, Williams, Quinn, Healy, Whitley, Oster, Stewart, Kyle. Subs: Clark, Tommy Smith, Ingham, Proctor, Leadbitter.

Walsall: Walker, Baird, Hay, Ritchie, Bazeley, O'Neil, Osborn, Vincent, Lawrence, Birch, Leitao. Subs: Kerr, Roper, Corica, Matias, Emblen.

Referee: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire)