NORTHWICH Victoria donned similar green and white hooped shirts to those worn over the years by renowned FA Cup giantkillers Yeovil Town.

Thankfully for Sunderland, the comparison ended there.

Neill Collins, with his first for the club, Dean Whitehead and Anthony Le Tallec all succeeded in finding the net against their Conference North opponents, and ensured the Black Cats didnt follow top-flight counterparts Fulham out of the FA Cup.

Six hours and seven minutes had elapsed since Sunderland last found the net when Collins, playing his first game since being recalled from a loan spell at Hartlepool, struck the goal that built the platform that avoided any humiliation.

And, if league form is anything to go by, if there was a Premiership side most likely to suffer embarrassment this weekend Sunderland were it.

But McCarthy's men, despite being without a win in 13 matches, never looked in any sort of trouble against lower league opposition until the game was already well out of reach of the Vics.

After booking a place in the fourth round, the only really frustrating factor on a comfortable afternoon was that striker Jon Stead has still been unable to break his duck in 19 appearances.

Chance after chance fell begging for Stead, who had otherwise turned in another display of promise until he was faced with the goal at his mercy.

An on-the-field argument between goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and Neill Collins, over who was at fault for a poor clearance after the defender's back-pass, highlighted, once again, that things are far from perfect on Wearside.

And, with champions Chelsea next on the horizon, McCarthy knows much tougher propositions will be before them before the season's end.

For Sunderland, two times winners of the FA Cup, third round day is something that goes with the territory, but for lowly Northwich these occasions come around so rarely that they have to be savoured when they do.

It was in 1977, four years after Sunderland won it for the last time, when the Vics last reached this stage and that was a season when they managed to progress to round four.

And, with Sunderland severely lacking confidence having been left stranded at the foot of the Premiership, a gritty non-league display from the first whistle would have tested the home side's state of mind.

McCarthy's plans were not helped by the absence of both Steve Caldwell and Gary Breen through suspension, meaning the experienced figure of Alan Stubbs lined up alongside recalled Neill Collins at the back.

Back after months of playing in League One with Hartlepool, he was arguably the most well-equipped man in a red and white shirt to deal with the rough and tumble approach to life outside the top-flight this season.

And it was the Scotsman, who was snapped up by McCarthy while playing part-time football north of the border for Dumbarton, who steadied the nerves within six minutes by grabbing the vital first goal.

Striker Stead had already shot straight into the arms of goalkeeper Kris Rogers at the near post when the young-centre-back opened his account for the club.

The first of Liam Lawrence's many, many corners was cleared to the edge of the area.

Tommy Miller's instinctive volley was blocked by one of many bodies and Collins struck high into Rogers' net.

Sunderland looked like immediately building on their advantage. But Stead was not rewarded with a goal for plenty of endeavour and craft.

The former Blackburn man's first half - that had been encouraging until he found himself in front of the posts, highlighted by his turn and pass to Julio Arca before firing over from 25 yards - was to suffer even more embarrassment before half-time.

Stead fired wide with a powerful right-foot strike from distance, while he also headed over a Lawrence dead ball after climbing above his marker inside the box.

But, after Northwich's first strike of the afternoon from former Newcastle striker Paul Brayson's deflected free-kick forced Davis into a fine left-handed save down to his left, there was collective sympathy for Stead shortly after.

The Northwich corner broke down and Sunderland ran clear with Anthony Le Tallec.

After being picked out unmarked by the Frenchman, Arca's strike was saved by Rogers and the ball fell nicely for Stead at the back post.

But somehow, with any sort of precision from his volley ending in a goal, the former England Under-21 forward's strike trickled goalwards, bounced off the foot of the post and rolled for a goal-kick.

Instead of allowing his head to drop, though, Stead turned provider four minutes before half-time.

Stationed down the right-flank that had proved so fruitful for Lawrence against full-back Ben Chapman, Stead's square pass into the danger area was turned first time beyond Rogers by the quick feet of Whitehead.

Anyone expecting an upset of huge proportions had been completely proved wrong.

Northwich had been over-run in all areas of the field and the only surprise at the interval was Sunderland were only two goals up.

Northwich could have reduced the arrears but once again found Davis in no mood to relinquish the chance of a clean sheet.

This time the keeper got down low to thwart Jonny Allan's advances, after Carlos Roca fed the forward after turning Miller in the centre-circle.

By the end, Sunderland never looked like losing the grip they had on the game.

It also became evidently clear the away supporters were not going to be able to celebrate as much as a goal.

Davis and Collins on the pitch argument did offer Northwich encouragement for a time.

Most notably when Allan's low strike was saved by the Sunderland keeper and Michael Carr headed a Stuart Elliott free-kick over.

But Sunderland always looked in command.

Le Tallec ensured Northwich's big day out ended sourly when he added the third. He tapped in from close range after Rogers could only parry Lawrence's strike from a difficult angle.

Result: Sunderland 3, Northwich Victoria 0.

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