Sunderland's underwhelming pre-season campaign continued on Wednesday evening with a 2-0 loss to Doncaster Rovers.
The result means that, after defeats to Sacramento Republic and C.F. Pachuca, the Black Cats travel to Germany this weekend, to face Hannover 96, with two wins and three losses from their five friendlies this summer.
Lively start by both teams as Doncaster take an early lead
Jeremain Lens made his debut for his new side, playing from the start and completing 83 minutes, whilst Younes Kaboul came off the bench at the break to appear for the Wearside club for the first time, but neither could inspire Sunderland into producing anything more than a few promising signs.
Both sides started well, Doncaster striking the frame of the goal as an attacker attempted to convert James Coppinger's cross whilst Jermain Defoe raced away on the counter at the other end and hit the post, just as the offside flag was raised. However, it would be Doncaster who took the lead after only 15 minutes, Cedric Evina bombing forward from his left-back position to sweep in Harry Forrester's cross at the back post.
Sunderland looked to respond quickly and were appealing for a penalty five minutes later as Steven Fletcher was brought down in the area by Luke McCullough, but the referee was not convinced as he waved play on.
Jack Rodwell created a good chance for Adam Johnson when he slipped him through on goal after the half hour mark, but the winger couldn't convert, whilst unselfish play from Fletcher to tee up Defoe moments later only resulted in the latter's effort being cleared off the line by a defender.
Black Cats continue to push after half time, but Rovers catch them on the counter
Though they were behind, Sunderland ended the first half the strongest and would continue to threaten after the restart as the lively Lens, who had proved effective cutting inside and shooting in the first period, forced an opportunity for Danny Graham, but the striker's effort was well saved by the goalkeeper, Thorsten Stuckmann.
With Sunderland firmly on the attack for the most part though, they were suspect to a good counter attack, and this proved their undoing on the hour as Evina burst forward down the left and saw his cross poorly-cleared into the path of Forrester by Rodwell, and the Doncaster midfielder made no mistake in finishing from inside the area to make it 2-0.
Sunderland continued to be the most dominant after the goal as they now searched for two to get them back into the game, Johnson and Lens both testing the 'keeper, but a flurry of substitutions disrupted the flow of the game and meant chances were at a premium, with Doncaster having the last of note through Harry Middleton - yet, Costel Pantilimon was not forced into much more than a comfortable save as a result.
The game finished 2-0 to the hosts as they maintain their unbeaten pre-season campaign, whereas Sunderland again suffered a concerning defeat ahead of the new season, despite some impressive individual performances.