Sunderland avoided an upset in the FA Cup by securing their progress to the fifth round by beating Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts made the perfect start to the game when Charis Mavrias opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a low strike to open his account for the club.
Kidderminster refused to crumble following the early setback but the non-league side failed to find an equaliser as Sunderland held on for the victory at the Stadium of Light.
Read below to find out how Gus Poyet's side knocked out the Harriers.
Good afternoon everyone. This match is what the FA Cup is all about. Non-league Kidderminster Harries travel to the Stadium of Light to face Premier League side Sunderland. Can they cause a famous upset? Make sure you stay with me to find out.
Kidderminster have already upset Newport County and Peterborough United in this season's competition, but this is a different challenge. Andy Thorn's side could become heroes by knocking out the Black Cats today. We've seen the seemingly impossible happen before in the FA Cup.
Sunderland may be struggling in the Premier League but there will be renewed confidence around the Stadium of Light after they progressed to the Capital One Cup final. Will the penalty shootout success be the turning point in their season?
Poyet has elected to make plenty of changes today, with Oscar Ustari and Santiago Vergini both making their debuts for the club. Full team news to follow shortly.
SUNDERLAND: Ustari, Celustka, Roberge, Diakite, Vergini, Cattermole, Ba, Larsson, Mavrias, Giaccherini, Altidore
SUBSTITUTES: Ki, Gardner, Colback, O'Shea, Borini, Watmore, Pickford
KIDDERMINSTER: Lewis, Vaughan, Demetriou, Storer, Byrne, Gash, Johnson, Jackman, Morgan-Smith, Dyer, Gowling
SUBSTITUTES: Dunkley, Malbon, Angus, Gittings, Vaughan, Ladapo, Aloi
Lee Cattermole is the only player to keep his place in the starting lineup following the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final as Poyet chooses to make 10 changes. It's still a strong Sunderland side, despite the changes.
Despite originally being ruled out of this game, Callum Gittings is fit enough to take a spot on the Kidderminster bench. Recent signing Adrian Cieslewicz is cup-tied, Lee Fowler misses out with a knee injury.
So, how can Kidderminster cause an upset today? They are the lowest ranked side left in the competition and not many people will be expecting them to qualify for the fifth round but Sunderland will be expecting a tough game. Kidderminster simply have nothing to lose. They can afford to have a go at the Premier League club today and ask questions of the rotated Sunderland side.
Harriers striker Michael Gash insisted the visitors would be positive when he spoke to BBC Radio 5 live earlier today: "We have come here with a game plan and Kidderminster will be turning up for a win and a place in the fifth round."
Poyet must make sure that complacency doesn't become an issue today. They're heavy favourites to progress but their name is not in the next round yet. Confidence is improving in the Black Cats camp and an extended FA Cup run can boost their survival hopes.
You can also follow live coverage of Southend vs. Hull and Bolton vs. Cardiff by clicking on your chosen game in the scores box on the right of the page. Will one of the Premier League clubs be sent out of the competition today?
Ustari joined Sunderland earlier in the week on a short-term deal. He makes his debut in goal today but you'd feel that he has a tough challenge to replace Vito Mannone, who has been superb in recent weeks between the sticks. Vergini also starts in defence following his loan move from Atletico Fenix. Poyet clearly rates the defender, who has been on loan at Estudiantes this season.
PREDICTION: There's just over 20 minutes left before kick-off, so it's time to have a guess at what the outcome will be this afternoon. I'd expect Kidderminster to make it difficult for the hosts but an early goal for Sunderland could make it a long day. 3-1 to Sunderland.
Over 4,000 Kidderminster supporters have reportedly made the trip to the Stadium of Light. That's an excellent effort from the visiting fans. They'll play a big part in attempting to make this an FA Cup classic.
This is the first time that these two sides have ever met in a competitive game. Kidderminster can equal their best effort in the FA Cup by progressing today, which would match their run in 1994 when West Ham knocked them out in the fifth round.
Two-time winners Sunderland haven't lifted the trophy since 1973. Survival in the Premier League is the number one target but the Black Cats have already shown this season how success in cup ties can quickly improve confidence.
If you fancy a flutter on an outsider today, some bookmakers are offering 9/1 on a Kiddermisnter victory today. Is that a fair price? I'm sure a few Harries supporters might fancy their chances of making history at the Stadium of Light.
The players are lining up in the tunnel now and it's the visiting supporters making all of the noise ahead of the kick-off. It's a special day for the non-league side. They'll make sure they enjoy the occasion.
Cattermole leads Sunderland out in front of the home crowd, who greet the Capital One Cup finalists with a good reception. The action is just moments away now.
Here we go then. Sunderland will get the game underway.
Close! Ba picks out Celustka, who whips in an inviting cross but Altidore's flick is cleared away inside the six yard box. Great start from the hosts.
All of the pressure is on the visitors at the moment. Sunderland win a couple of early corners but the Harriers make a couple of key blocks to keep the Black Cats out inside the first few minutes, with both Giaccherini and Larsson seeing shots stopped by defenders.
GOAL! SUNDERLAND 1-0 KIDDERMINSTER (MAVRIAS)
I mentioned how important an early goal would be this afternoon. Mavrias collects a loose ball after the visitors fail to clear and responds by drilling the opener into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club. Excellent start for Sunderland. It's going to be difficult for Kidderminster from here.
Can Kidderminster respond? They've hardly seen much of the ball since the referee blew the first whistle. It's an impressive start from Sunderland, who seem in no mood to be the victims of an upset today.
SAVE! It's a good comeback from the visitors. Giaccherini clearance falls at Gash's feet and his low strike forces Ustari to make his first stop in a Sunderland shirt.
CLOSE! The chances keep on coming at the Stadium of Light. Roberge curls in a dangerous cross which just evades Altidore but Larsson arrives at the back post to fire a good opportunity over the crossbar.
More clever play from the Sunderland midfielders, who force the visitors to chase the ball for an extended period before Giaccherini strikes a long-range effort straight at Lewis.
Apart from Gash's effort at goal, Kidderminster have struggled to compete so far at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland are dominating possession and dictating the tempo of the match.
Roberge has looked threatening when he's picked up the ball in space and another of his crosses almost causes problems when Ba flicks an effort wide of the near post.
Cattermole receives the ball 25 yards from goal and with very few options on offer, he decides to unleash a powerful shot. Lewis makes up the ground to collect the ball comfortably. Sunderland still on top.
Much better from Kidderminster. The away side win the ball in midfield and keep possession for a long period before Johnson's dangerous cross is cleared by Vergini at the near post.
Roberge is the key man again as he beats a couple of defenders on the left before pulling the ball back to Celustka, who strikes a wayward effort well over the crossbar to the delight of the visiting supporters.
CLOSE! Excellent football from the Premier League side again as Giaccherini drills a shot just wide after Mavrias had picked out the Italian just inside the penalty area. A second goal could be on the way soon.
Nice work from Jackan on the left for the visitors, who earns himself some space before clipping a ball towards Gash. However, the Sunderland defence respond well to clear the danger under pressure.
SHOT! It's been difficult for Kidderminster in the first half but Gash is doing his best to cause problems for the Sunderland defenders. Ustari is forced into action to deny the forward a clear opportunity.
Sunderland are being asked the questions now as Cattermole and Altidore combine to clear a free kick as the visitors begin to become more of an attacking threat.
SHOT! Giaccherini tries his luck again and curls a shot wide from the edge of the box after tricking his way into some space.
Roberge isn't far away from capping off an impressive display with a goal in the first half when he watches a deflected effort sail over the crossbar. Lewis reacts well to collect the ball from the corner that follows.
Kidderminster deserve a lot of credit for how they've coped after falling behind so early. Gash's chance may have been their only clear opportunity but they've improved as this first half has progressed. Sunderland will need a second goal.
Giaccherini and Altidore link well on the edge of the box but Dowling steps in to make a crucial interception and deny the hosts another chance as the half-time interval approaches.
HALF TIME: SUNDERLAND 1-0 KIDDERMINSTER
No need for added time at the end of the first half. Sunderland are on their way to the fifth round of the FA Cup thanks to an early goal from Mavrias. Can Kidderminster fight back after the break?
Andy Thorn will be pretty pleased with what he has seen from his side in the first 45 minutes. The non-league side were expected to be completely outclassed but they've applied themselves impressively following the early setback. Sunderland certainly look the more threatening of the two teams but the job is far from over for the hosts.
Kidderminster have been positive when they've been able to enjoy extended spells of possession. Gash, in particular, has caused quite a few problems for the Sunderland defence. They remain in this game as long as it remains 1-0.
You can check the scores of all of the other FA Cup games on the right of the page. There is a couple of big shocks on the cards this afternoon. Kidderminster will be desperate to add another one here with a second-half comeback.
The players are back out on the pitch and Kidderminster get the second half underway.
SHOT! Ba picks up the ball on the edge of the box and fires a shot through a congested penalty area but Lewis makes a comfortable save.
YELLOW CARD! A yellow card was given at the end of the first half, with the referee booking Mavrias for dissent as the players walked back inside at the interval.
YELLOW CARD! Ba clashes heads with Morgan-Smith and the Sunderland midfielder was adjudged to have committed a foul, with a second yellow card being shown.
Excellent goalkeeping from Ustari. Byrne latches onto a long kick from Lewis and breaks into the box but Sunderland's new shot-stopper rushes off his line to deny him an opportunity.
Dyer eyes a spot in tomorrow's headlines when he's gifted space 30 yards from goal but his effort is wayward and the chance disappears for the visitors.
Kidderminster win a free kick on the halfway line and choose to send a few of the big men forward. The cross is delivered into a good area but Ustari collects from Gowling's header.
SAVE! Vergini almost steals the show on his debut but the defender's powerful 30-yard strike is pushed away by Lewis and the visitors manage to clear the danger.
Sunderland are increasing the tempo of their play now as Poyet urges his side on from the touchline. Ba, who has impressed this afternoon, creates space on the edge of the box before curling a shot over the bar.
YELLOW CARD! Kidderminster skipper Storer is cautioned for a late challenge on the lively Roberge as Sunderland looked to launch another attack.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Poyet makes two changes as Fabio Borini and Craig Gardner come on to replace Giaccherini and Ba.
SHOT! A Sunderland corner is cleared to Cattermole, who fires a wild shot over the crossbar from 25 yards out.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Thorn makes two changes of his own as Frederick Ladapo and Callum Gittings replace Johnson and Morgan-Smith.
Borini has only been on for a couple of minutes but he's already managed to frustrate his teammates as he strikes over when a pass would have been a better option.
SUBSTITUTION: Poyet uses his final substitution to bring on Jack Colback for Cattermole.
Kidderminster are running out of time at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland have looked more likely to score the second goal but the Premier League side will be disappointed not to have killed the game off by now.
CLOSE! Sunderland work a short corner to Gardner, whose deflected shot finds its way to Vergini at the back post and the defender heads wide from close range.
Sunderland win a free kick in a very dangerous position but Gardner's cross is easily collected by Lewis in a congested penalty area.
The hosts win a number of corners and free kicks in the space of a couple of minutes but Kidderminster are doing just enough to stay in the game. Can they create a late chance?
SUBSTITUTION: One final roll of the dice from Thorn as Santiago Aloi replaces Dyer for the closing stages.
Sunderland remain on the front foot as Celustka sprints down the wing before seeing a cross cleared behind for a corner. Kidderminster remain stubborn at the back as they clear the danger from the set-piece.
SHOT! Jackman isn't far away from equalising for the visitors when he fires just wide from a tight angle following a quick counter-attack.
CHANCE! What a chance for the non-league side. Gash rises highest to win a header and finds Ladapo, who wastes a brilliant opportunity by firing wide from inside the box. The replay was there for the taking. Is that their chance gone?
The referee confirms that there will be four minutes of time added on. Sunderland are intent on holding on for the victory.
The hosts almost secure the win in stoppage time but Vaughan reacts superbly to block a Borini striker after the forward had found some space.
Kidderminster win a free kick just inside the Sunderland half. It's their final opportunity to send some players into the box.
Everyone heads forward for the free kick but Ustari takes control to collect the ball and calm the nerves around the Stadium of Light.
Everyone heads forward for the free kick but Ustari takes control to collect the ball and calm the nerves around the Stadium of Light.
FULL TIME: SUNDERLAND 1-0 KIDDERMINSTER
It's all over at the Stadium of Light. An early strike from Charis Mavrias proves to be enough for the Premier League side, who progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup. Kidderminster can be very proud of their display today. They were expected to struggle but they refused to crumble after falling behind.
Kidderminster had the opportunity to force a replay but they failed to convert their chances late on. Andy Thorn will be full of praise for his side, there's no doubt about that. Great effort from the non-league side.
Thanks for joining me for this FA Cup clash. I hope you've enjoyed the coverage. Make sure you stick around on the site for live text commentary of Stevenage vs. Everton. Goodbye.
