Sunderland's disappointing start to the new campaign continued on Saturday as they fell to defeat against Preston North End at Deepdale. 

Tony Mowbray's side have now lost both of their Championship games 2-1 after being bested by Ipswich Town last weekend, while they also crashed out of the Carabao Cup against League Two Crewe Alexandra. 

There were high hopes for the Black Cats after an impressive finish inside the playoffs last season but this young squad looks as if it will take some more time to gel, while Mowbray will be desperate for attacking additions before the transfer window shuts. 

Saturday's game saw the former Blackburn boss make sweeping changes from the side that was beaten by Crewe, with only Dan Neil keeping his starting spot, while Bradley Dack came in for his first start. 

It was Pierre Ekwah who registered the first dangerous shot on target in the first half when his long-range effort was tipped over by Freddie Woodman. 

And there was a huge slice of luck involved in Preston's opener in 25 minutes, as Mads Frokjaer's shot from outside the area was deflected past a helpless Anthony Patterson by Will Keane.

Sunderland were gifted the chance to equalise just six minutes later when Jack Clarke was hauled down inside the area, and the winger picked himself up to squeeze his effort past Woodman for 1-1. 

Ekwah and Roberts both threatened for Sunderland but hit their shots well wide, and the hosts would re-take the lead just before the hour mark. 

Alan Browne surged forward from midfield and his long-range pass found its way through to Frokjaer thanks to another fortunate deflection from Keane. 

The Dane, who was making his debut at Deepdale, fired past Patterson first time to score the winner, with Sunderland struggling to carve out any clear-cut opportunities to equalise. 

The result leaves Mowbray's side just outside the relegation zone but they will fancy their chances of a first win when they face Rotherham at the Stadium of Light this Saturday.