Ben Wilkinson’s side entered the fixture looking to apply pressure on league leaders Manchester United and second-placed Liverpool with three points.
However, a clinical Black Cats side collected the spoils in wintery conditions thanks to goals from Benjamin Creamer, Chris Rigg and Trey Ogunsuyi.
As a result, Farid Alfa-Ruprecht’s equaliser was rendered as a consolation as the reigning national champions tasted only our second league defeat of the campaign so far.
View the extended highlights in the video player above.