Williams Kokolo scored a last-gasp brace as a Sunderland XI came from behind to beat a spirited Morpeth Town 3-2 at Craik Park.

There was plenty of promising moments to provide cheer for the home support, with both Ben Harmison and Shabz Mohammed scoring on their home debuts in the second half. But, after Rees Greenwood had opened the scoring, Kokolo would have the final say.

Morpeth started with Kris Thackray at centre-half, with Mohammed floating in behind Liam Henderson. But for all it was a neat and tidy start from both sides, Sunderland took the lead after 10 minutes through Greenwood. The winger shot from the near post, with a sizeable deflection taking it past Dan Lowson in the Morpeth goal.

The first half was a competitive affair with neither side giving an inch. The visitors were quick to attack and worked the ball well from one side to the other; for Morpeth, they, too, were comfortable on the ball without making a decisive breakthrough in the Sunderland penalty box.

That changed in the second half as Morpeth used the right-hand side of the pitch to devastating effect, regularly cutting open the visitors firstly through Tom Potter and then latterly through Jack Foalle.

Harmison benefitted from that first, as Potter made in roads down the flank before hitting the box. The initial shot was blocked before striker Harmison netted from close range two minutes into the second half.

As the game improved in the second period, Lowson was forced into two smart stops to deny Connelly low down, before Potter created havoc once again prior to Harmison scuffing his volley into the hands of the Sunderland stopper.

Just before the 70^th minute, Morpeth threatened to take the lead through Foalle. The striker latched on to Taylor’s through ball down the right but his low strike was saved by the feet of the keeper.

However, Town would not be denied a second goal, Mohammed lashing home after a slick counter-attack involving Foalle half-volleying a cross to Harmison, who touched it off to Mohammed to strike.

But there would be late drama in the closing stages as Kokolo scored twice from inside the area to seal victory for Sunderland.

Morpeth are next in action when they travel to Seaham Red Star on Wednesday (7.30pm).

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson; Forster, Phillips, Sayer, Thackray, Reid, Taylor, Hodgson, L.Henderson, Mohammed, Potter.

SUBS: Walton, Foalle, Harmison, McKeown, Judson, Cyril.

GOALS: Harmison (47), Mohammed (79)

SUNDERLAND XI: Ahmed; Hunter, Collins, Neil, Bainbridge, Edmundsson, Leonard, Gamble, Connelly, Mumba, Greenwood.

SUBS: Taylor, Newman, Evans, Kokolo, Slack.

GOALS: Greenwood (10), Kokolo (86, 90)