Sunderland edge past Carlisle United

Sunderland have secured their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup by recording a 3-1 victory over Carlisle United at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats took a 34th-minute lead through Adam Johnson, whose free kick proved too good for United goalkeeper Greg Fleming.

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Gus Poyet's men, who sit 36 places above their Cumbrian counterparts in the football league, were pegged back close to half time as Matty Robson capitalised on a defensive error to restore parity.

Ki Sung-Yong - a make-shift centre-back - failed to deal with David Amoo's teasing cross, before Robson punished the Premier League outfit.

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Five minutes into the second half the hosts re-established their one-goal lead, with Sean O'Hanlon inadvertently converting past his own goalkeeper.

The visitors tried and failed to draw level once more, before debutant El Hadji Ba secured the points by side-footing home from close range.

The North-East outfit will face either Kidderminster Harriers or Peterborough United in the next stage of England's premier cup competition.