Sunderland AFC's young XI were beaten 4-1 by RC Lens at the Stade François Blin in a friendly fixture that saw the Black Cats denied twice from the penalty spot.
The visitors made a bright start and took the lead after 11 minutes. Tom Proctor showed composure to lift a neat finish over the advancing Lens goalkeeper, giving Sunderland an early advantage.
Lens equalised before half-time when Mohamed Seddik stabbed home from close range after a powerful move down the left saw the deflected cross fall kindly inside the area.
Penalties Prove Costly
The hosts edged ahead from the penalty spot when Seddik went down under a challenge as he attempted to turn inside the box. Ruben Aguilar confidently sent Melker Ellborg the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Sunderland came out firing after the restart. Trey Ogunsuyi chased a long ball and battled his way into the area, forcing a handball and earning a penalty. Jocelin Ta Bi stepped up but saw his effort saved.
Moments later, Ta Bi produced a dazzling run from deep and weaved through several challenges before going down inside the box, but Sunderland's appeals were waved away. Proctor then saw a second penalty saved before Lens struck twice late on through Djulian Fernoc in the 77th minute and Moussa Diarra five minutes later.
