It doesn't get much better than this. Sitting in the Algarve waiting to watch the Lads and going a shade of red the lobsters in an Albufeira restaurant would be proud of while slowly getting sozzled on some super Bock, Sunderland fans couldn't complain. Well, we could, with Titus Bramble high on the agenda. However, as the match kicked off, the temperature plummeted, as did the standard of football.

Sunderland were outplayed for long periods of the game by an excellent Brighton side and were fortunate to nick a goal right at the death through Fraizer Campbell.

The Lads started the game well, Martyn Waghorn signaling his intent with a shot that was well saved by Michael Poke. Brighton's Gordon Greer should have put his side in the lead after six minutes when he rose highest in the area but headed wide.

Four minutes later, Trevor Carson was forced into action when he pushed Radostin Kishishev's cross-shot over the bar. Sunderland fans had really had little to cheer about during this pre-season but they tried their best to rouse the Lads into doing something that remotely looked like a decent attacking move. It didn't work.

The Seagulls thought they made the all important breakthrough in the eleventh minute, but Murray's goal was disallowed due to a foul on Carson. The same player had an opportunity to break the deadlock in the closing stages of the first half but headed inches wide.

He made up for it a minute before half-time from the penalty spot, blasting his kick right down the middle after Bolo Zenden handled in the area.

The excuses from the management would be that Brighton have had a week longer in their pre-season preparations than Sunderland but that didn't wash. We were awful, and hoped for better after the interval.

Sunderland started the second half the brightest but Waghorn again wasted a good opportunity, blasting over from 12 yards. Then, Brighton once again took control of the game as Murray robbed Kilgallon and forced a good save from Carson.

Steve Bruce had obviously seen enough and to a few sarcastic cheers, Jordan Henderson replaced Kenwyne Jones (yes, he was playing) and Fraizer Campbell was brought on for Bolo Zenden.

Moments later, sick note George McCartney was injured for the millionth time in his Sunderland career, falling awkwardly on his ankle. Bruce said he's currently awaiting medical advice on the left-back, but here's my prognosis Brucie: The lad is a liability and needs to be put out to pasture ASAP. Steeeeeed Malbranque replaced the unluckiest Irishman ever.

The substitutions seemed to do the trick, as Sunderland took the game to Brighton in the closing stages and Jordan Henderson's free kick was poked home by Campbell four minutes from time. Relief.

The good points are that we are unbeaten in pre-season so far but that isn't saying much. The weather is expected to be hotter here tomorrow so I'll be soaking up the rays, while those at home will just be getting, well, soaked apparently. Sorry for that. Now, where's me after sun?

Sunderland: Carson, Bardsley, McCartney (Malbranque, 62), Colback, Ferdinand, Kilgallon, Zenden (Campbell, 58), Richardson, Waghorn (Liddle, 75), Jones (Henderson, 58), Bent.

Subs Not Used: Mignolet.

Brighton: Poke, Calderon, Elphick, Greer, Painter, Bennett, Kishyshev, Navarro, Sparrow, Barnes, Murray.

Subs: Walker, Cook, Hall, El Abd, Battipiedi, Dicker, Baz, Holroyd, Hart, Smith, Morais.

Final Score: 1-1

ALS Man of the Match: The barman

Chris Fryatt

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