Carlisle United battled bravely as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Sunderland in the Carabao Cup.

Sunderland led at half-time after Donald Love's opener.

The Blues hit back after the restart with Danny Grainger finding the net with a rebound after he had missed a penalty.

But Lynden Gooch scored the crucial third goal in the game to put the Black Cats through to the next round.

Sunderland had the first chance inside a minute. Joel Asoro and Gooch linked-up well to feed Wahbi Khazri, but his effort was off-target.

The hosts first threatened in the eighth minute. A long ball forward from captain Grainger found Richie Bennett who laid the ball back to Jamie Devitt. Reggie Lambe connected with Devitt's cross, although he was unable to steer the ball towards goal.

On 12 minutes, Bennett tried to capitalise on a mistake by the Black Cats' defence. He found Devitt on the right who crossed for Nicky Adams, only for Ruiter to make a brave block to deny the United midfielder.

Devitt again threatened on the 18th minute. The ball sat up nicely for him to volley at goal with Sunderland keeper Ruiter tipping over the bar.

Sunderland hit back in the 22nd minute through Khazri. But Blues keeper Jack Bonham got down well to deny the Black Cats man.

But, on 24 minutes, the Championship outfit took the lead when Gooch crossed for Donald Love who made no mistake.

Gooch then almost doubled the Sunderland lead just before the half-hour mark, although he was denied by a fine save from Bonham.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, Asoro did Mark Ellis for pace and broke through. But Bonham again bravely denied the Sunderland man.

With 34 minutes on the clock, a weak effort from Grainger found its way through to Devitt. He was denied, though, and ref Darren Bond waved away penalty appeals as Bennett was caught, trying to latch on to the loose ball.

Carlisle had another good chance on 38 minutes. Mike Jones found skipper Grainger who found Lambe. But the Bermudian's effort hit the post and the Black Cats led at half-time.

Carlisle were awarded a penalty on the 58th minute which was taken by Grainger. Goalkeeper Ruiter denied Grainger with his spot-kick, but the Blues skipper followed-up to level the scores.

Sunderland used all their subs in the second period, bringing on the likes of striker James Vaughan and Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady, as they tried to regain the initiative.

And the Black Cats re-took the lead as Lynden Gooch did well to find the bottom corner of Jack Bonham's net.

One final chance saw keeper Bonham head up field and the confusion that caused almost led to a late chance, but the Black Cats held on.

Manager Keith Curle had recalled Gary Liddle and Devitt for tonight's Carabao Cup second round clash with Sunderland.

Liddle replaced right-back Tom Miller, while midfielder Devitt came in for Shaun Miller.

They were the only changes to the side that started Saturday's 3-0 win over Cheltenham in League Two.

Midfielder Samir Nabi has returned from injury and was on the bench along with fit-again Jason Kennedy.

Sunderland boss Simon Grayson, meanwhile, made 10 changes to the team that started against Leeds in the Championship.

Costa Rican defender Bryan Oviedo is among those handed a call-up by the Black Cats boss.

Didier Ndong is the only player who started against Leeds to retain his place.

United: Bonham, Liddle, Grainger, Parkes, Ellis, Joyce (Hope 84), Jones, Adams (Kennedy 88), Lambe, Devitt (S.Miller 84), Bennett. Unused subs: George, T Miller, Nabi, Cosgrove.

Sunderland: Ruiter, Oviedo (McGeady 72), Djilobodji, Matthews, O'Shea, Ndong, Khazri, Love (Kone 65), Gibson, Gooch, Asoro (Vaughan 65). Unused subs: Jones, Honeyman, Stryjek, Embleton.