MARCUS STEWART'S return to Huddersfield Town with Sunderland did not go according to plan.

The Black Cats' new No 10 scored 68 goals in 160 games for Town before joining Ipswich three and a half years ago.

But Stewart, who made a hash of his only two chances last night, failed to enjoy a happy homecoming as Sunderland slipped to a poor 2-0 defeat and it was his opposite number in the Huddersfield side, Jon Newby, who lit up the game.

It was not a pleasing performance for manager Mick McCarthy, who saw his side lose their unbeaten pre-season record.

After wins over Durham City and York and a draw at Grimsby, Sunderland looked like they were making progress - but against Peter Jackson's men McCarthy will have learnt there is still a lot of work to do before August 9.

And he said: "Up until their goal I was happy with the performance. We had 31 crosses and of those 19 were good crosses so I think that says we have had a lot of the play. But I'm disappointed we have lost.

"We had a lot of chances but we have not put the ball in the net. But I wonder whether previous managers have said that to the same set of players after suffering a defeat.''

Darren Williams started his first pre-season game in a back four that did not include club captain Michael Gray, who was among the substitutes. Unsurprisingly there was no place in the 18 for Aston Villa-bound Gavin McCann or Kevin Phillips, Thomas Sorensen, Claudio Reyna and Tore Andre Flo.

Sunderland started brightly and should have been in front at half-time, but failure to convert those opportunities allowed Third Division Huddersfield in with a chance.

Michael Proctor was the main culprit in the first half, the young striker twice played in by lively winger John Oster, but goalkeeper Ian Gray kept the score level.

But it wasn't Proctor who was guilty of arguably the worst miss to have graced the plush McAlpine Stadium surroundings - enter Matty Piper and he should never be allowed to forget it.

George McCartney's cross from the left evaded centre-back David Mirfin, who slipped and lost his footing, and Piper was left unmarked with the goal gaping just six yards out.

Keeper Gray left the right side of his net exposed but Piper somehow fired the ball towards the corner flag when it looked easier to score.

With the fans in fits of laughter, the only saving grace for the winger - who was denied a goal late on by a great one-handed save from Gray - was that it was not in front of his home supporters back at the Stadium of Light.

And Sunderland were made to pay when Newby slotted in the opener for Huddersfield after Jonathan Stead played a lovely ball for his strike partner on 57 minutes. With 20 minutes remaining Stead turned goalscorer, when he rose to head in Tony Carss' cross.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Poom, Williams, Craddock, Clark, McCartney, Piper (M Gray 81), McAteer (Thornton 46), Whitley, Oster, Stewart, Proctor (Brown 81). Subs (not used): Ingham, Scott, Collins, Butler.

Result: Huddersfield 2, Sunderland 0.

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