Sunderland have maintained their 100% pre-season record with a narrow win in Portugal against Spanish second-tier side Recreativo de Heulva.
The decisive goal came in the 78th minute thanks to Mikael Mandron's pinpoint penalty kick after Charalampos Mavrias was bundled over in the box by Fran Avila.
Mandron smashed his spot kick down the middle, to the delight of the few Black Cats fans who made the trip to the Algarve to watch Gus Poyet's men in action.
Sunderland could have been ahead much earlier when, on 25 minutes, Martin Smith fired a free kick against the crossbar and then David Ferguson rifled a shot across the face of goal that narrowly missed the far post, with keeper Ruben Galvez well beaten.
Recre's best chance of an equaliser came with nine minutes remaining when, after Joel Dixon punched the ball from danger, Aitor struck a thunderous shot just over the visitors' bar.
Sunderland begin their Premier League campaign away to West Bromwich Albion.
Chris O'Keefe
