Sunderland maintained their 100 per cent record with a narrow win in Spain against 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 brought down 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 Southern Spain 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 rifling a shot across that narrowly missed the far post, with keeper Ruben Galvez

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.