Sunderland’s long wait for a win at the Stadium of Light goes on after they were sunk by a dramatic late winner from their former striker Daryl Murphy.
It will be more than nine months since they emerged victorious in front of their own supporters when they welcome Cardiff City to Wearside at the end of September, after they failed to break down a resilient Forest side in which skipper Matt Mills led by example.
They had the visitors under the cosh for long spells, but were unable to turn that dominance into tangible reward before falling to Murphy’s sucker punch leaving them with just a single goal from their last three outings, leaving them in the lower reaches following Premier League relegation.
Daryl Murphy struck late to reduce stragglers Sunderland to a 1-0 defeat
The defeat sees Sunderland suffer their fourth-straight league defeat this season
Lewis Grabban and Bryan Oviedo both came close for Sunderland from close- and long-range
That could soon change if they discover a cutting edge to accompany the enterprising approach play which Forest struggled to cope with for the majority of the game.
Callum McManaman impressed on his full debut following his recent move from West Brom with another new recruit, Crystal Palace loan midfielder Jonny Williams, also producing the kind of performance they will be needing this season.
Mills bravely flung himself in to block goal-bound first-half efforts from McManaman and George Honeyman as Sunderland posed a threat down both flanks but were hampered somewhat by the loss of forward Lewis Grabban, who went close to breaking the deadlock early on with a fine long-range effort.
And were then made to pay as Murphy celebrates his winning goal with Forest team-mates
Simon Grayson’s team were relegated from the Premier League and have been slow starters
And Grayson’s side dominated the first-half with 10 shots on goal but were wasteful
James Vaughan came on as replacement, but the former Huddersfield forward is still to convince that he can make a significant contribution on his return to this level.
Jordan Smith saved well from McManaman early in the second-half after the winger burst through to shoot form a narrow angle, and although the Forest keeper was beaten shortly after by Bryan Oviedo, the full-back’s low, raking shot found the side-netting.
The threat posed by Mark Warburton’s side was at best sporadic, with hopeful penalty appeals either side of half-time from Liam Bridcutt, the former Sunderland midfielder, and Ben Brereton both rightly waved away by referee Simon Hooper.
Williams came close to a stunning long-range opener, but as the contest appeared to be heading for a stalemate, Browning lost possession on the edge of the area, allowing substitute Barrie McKay to cross for Murphy to find the bottom corner with an angled drive from close range five minutes before the end.