They took apart Athlone Town with such ease that no one would have argued had the visitors notched double figures.

How much Roy Keane's men will have gained from a match in which the opponents failed to force a single save from their keeper is open to debate.

But as confidence boosters go it couldn't have been bad.

Young full-back Michael Liddle for one was absolutely buzzing after his debut first-team game. He'll be hoping it's like this every week!

Sunderland were ahead within the first two minutes, and never looked back, though they had to wait for two goals at the death before the scoreline reflected the gulf in class between the two sides.

Keane paired Anthony Stokes and Michael Chopra up front for Sunderland's penultimate pre-season game.

There was a place in the starting line-up for promising left-back Michael Liddle - included in the squad because of a late injury to Phil Bardsley - while Liam Miller was given a chance to shine alongside Kieran Richardson in midfield. Darren Ward was given the gloves.

It took Sunderland less than two minutes to take the lead, Stokes turning cleverly on the edge of the area before feeding Richardson, who steered a bobbling shot over keeper Ciaran Kelly from eight yards.

It was Sunderland's first attack of the game, and it didn't take them long to extend their lead.

With Ward little more than a spectator at the other end of the pitch, the Wearsiders notched their second in the 10th minute after the tricky Stokes was fouled to bring a free-kick 20 yards out.

The striker took it himself, pulling a fine save out of Kelly, who dived high to his right to claw the ball from his top corner, only for it to drop to Chopra on the byline.

The Sunderland man dragged the ball a couple of yards infield from left of goal, improving the angle and then rifled his shot through the exposed Kelly.

The one-way traffic continued, with Sunderland playing within themselves and Athlone left to chase shadows.

The home side earned a coupled of corners midway through the half, but were unable to carve out a chance from either, and when Sunderland countered, keeper Kelly needed a strong hand to block a close-range effort from Richardson.

Richardson threatened again just before the half-hour when he drilled a long-range shot inches over the bar, while Stokes rattled the crossbar with a header from a fine Edwards cross.

At times the Athlone goalmouth was under siege, with players called on to make last-ditch stops all along the back line.

Stokes was one of the chief tormenters, but despite all his clever approach work and good positional play, he failed to capitalise on any of a hatful of shots at goal throughout the game.

The teams went into the break with Athlone somehow only two goals down.