Substitute Niall Ennis scored the extra-time winner as Stoke beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.

Mark Robins’ side made the perfect start when Tom Cannon scored an early penalty, before Sunderland substitute Milan Aleksic levelled 19 minutes into the second half.

Sunderland, who introduced Enzo Le Fee to the supporters before kick-off after the midfielder completed his loan move from Roma on Friday night, looked the more likely side to score a winner in normal time.

But Ennis pounced on a Sunderland defensive mix-up to score the winner with eight minutes of extra-time remaining.

Sloppy Sunderland play that gifted Stoke their fourth minute opener. Luke O’Nien fouled Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas but only after Dan Neil’s heavy backpass to goalkeeper Simon Moore had caused Sunderland problems. Cannon made no mistake from the spot.

Sunderland failed to create any clear cut openings in a low-key first half and could have found themselves two goals behind had O’Nien not made a fine sliding interception to deny Lewis Baker after more sloppy defensive play.

It was O’Nien who came closest to levelling for Sunderland in the first half, the defender heading over a Trai Hume free-kick from the right just before the break.

The home side suffered an injury blow just before the hour mark when Aji Alese was carried from the field on a stretcher. Zak Johnson replaced the defender.

Aleksic was also introduced and just four minutes later he drew Sunderland level, calmly slotting home after being picked out by Adil Aouchiche.

Neither side could find a winner in normal time and the game looked likely to go to penalties, until Ennis pounced on a defensive mix-up between Salis Abdul Samed and Neil before rounding Moore and rolling in the winner.