Sunderland U23 2-2 Wigan U23 report as Black Cats concede late goals to exit Premier League Cup

Ten-man Sunderland U23s are out of the Premier League Cup after conceding a 95th minute equasliser against Wigan U23 at Eppleton.

The Black Cats needed to win to have any chance of going through to the knock-out stages of the competition, and they were cruising after sub Zak Johnson scored just before half-time and then Wigan's Harry McGee put through his own net soon after the interval.

But Sunderland pressed the self-destruct button in the final five minutes.

Keeper Jack McIntyre was sent off for two bookable offences in the space of a minute, the second of which also cost his side a penalty.

With all three subs used, defender Ugonna Emineke donned the gloves and he could not stop Harry McHugh converting from the spot.

And then in the fifth minute of injury time, Tom Costello headed home the equaliser from a free-kick and that was the goal that ultimately proved costly.

Wigan will go through to the next round as group winners, and either Leeds United or Mansfield Town will go through in second place.

U23 coach Michael Proctor were back on familiar territory having recently stepped up to take interim charge of the first team during the club's search for a new head coach.

And the new boss Alex Neil and his assistant Martin Canning were at Eppleton to watch the U23s in action.

Sunderland created an opening down the left inside the first five minutes as Caden Kelly laid the ball off to Spellman, but his low shot was saved by the keeper.

Wigan's first chance fell to Dean Pinnington midway through the first period, but his effort from outside the box flew wide of the right-hand post.

The Black Cats had to make an unplanned change a couple of minutes later when Tyrese Dyce picked up a knock and, despite trying to continue, he