Sunderland scored twice in the final 10 minutes to secure a pre-season victory against Peterborough United at London Road in the final wam-up game ahead of the new campaign.

Lee Frecklington had the best opportunity in the opening moments at London Road after finding room within the penalty area, but his downward header was directed straight at goalkeeper Marton Fulop after a good delivery into the box by Daniel Blanchett.

Lorik Cana fired wide at the other end after good approach play from the visitors as the friendly settled down in the muggy conditions at London Road. England under 21 striker Frazier Campbell headed a Carlos Edwards cross inches wide of the target on 28 minutes after a rather stagnate period in the game.

Billy Crook scuffed a shot wide of the target on 33 minutes after good work from Sergio Torres as Posh played some neat football in the centre of the pitch.

Northern Ireland international David Healy, who scored against England in the qualifying group for the European Championships in 2006, was being kept quiet by the two Posh centre backs Sam Gaughran and Krystian pearce and chances for the visitors was certainly at a premium.

Campbell squandered a presentable opportunity moments before the interval after being played in by Stokes, but James McKeown narrowed the angle and made a smart stop.

Half-time: Posh 0-0 Sunderland

Frazier Campbell robbed McKeown of the ball five minutes after the break, but the striker's effort was comfortably cleared by centre back Krystian Pearce at the far post. Campbell then headed straight at McKeown from a deep corner from Stokes as the visitors pushed for the breakthrough.

Mackail-Smith had the ball in the back of the net just before the hour, but it was rightly chalked off for offside and that was the striker's last action as he was replaced by Danny Mills. Keates was also withdrawn with Romone McCrae getting a chance to shine.

Stokes dragged a weak shot wide of the target on 62 minutes after cutting inside from the left as Sunderland tried to impose themselves on the game. Danny Collins was superbly denied from point blank range by McKeown moments later after a free-kick from Stokes picked out the centre half six-yards from goal.

Healy saw a weak shot gathered by McKeown after a poor pass from Gaughran was intercepted by Cana, but the inexperienced Posh side were still holding their own midway through the second period against their Premier League opponents.

Gaughran was well-placed to clear from his own goal-line after Stokes' appeared to have curled a sublime shot into the top corner before Sunderland boss Steve Bruce introduced Kenwyne Jones and Andy Reid from the substitutes bench.

The visitors opened the scoring on 83 minutes as a cross from Andy Reid was converted past his own goalkeeper by Daniel BLANCHETT at the near post. A heartbreaking moment for the defender, who had performed admirably at right-back until that point.

Tainio was then denied by McKeown as the Premier League side ended the game strongly. The visitors were awarded a penalty after Gaughran tripped CAMPBELL and the striker coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.

McKeown was certainly enjoying himself, denying Jones and Reid in quick succession and he certainly thoroughly deserved his Man of the Match champagne.

Final Score: Posh 0-2 Sunderland

Posh: Mckeown, Blanchett, Day, Pearce, Gaughran, Crook, Frecklington, Keates (sub McCrae 60min), Mackail-Smith (sub Mills 60min), Torres, Green (sub Korenteng 85min). Subs: Lewis Andrew, Piergianni.

Sunderland: Fulop, Edwards, McCartney, Collins, Nosworthy, Tainio, Stokes (sub Jones 72min), Cana, Campbell (sub Cook 87min), Healy (sub O'Donovan 87min), Murphy (sub Reid 72min).  Unused subs: Henderson, Misiewicz, Tounkara.