Sunderland were beaten 3-0 by struggling League Two side Scunthorpe last night, which has left many fans of the club feeling angry and dejected.

Phil Parkinson's side headed into the game knowing they had to beat the Iron, who are in 21st place in the fourth tier of English football, to qualify for the EFL Trophy knock-out stages.

They lost Luke O'Nien 20 minutes into the second half when he brought down Abo Eisa in the penalty area, with Lee Novak converting the subsequent spot-kick.

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Lee Burge made some good saves to keep the visitors in the game but two late goals from Eisa and Novak added insult to injury for the Black Cats.

The loss means Sunderland have been knocked out of the competition at the group stages and that Parkinson has now lost four times in his first eight games in charge at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats remain in touching distance of the play-off places in League One, just one point outside the top six in seventh, and are set to face Gillingham in the replay of their FA Cup First Round tie next Tuesday–though there have been suggestions that could be rearranged.

The defeat to Scunthorpe has not been well received, with many Sunderland fans taking to Twitter to express their frustration and concern.

Read the reaction of supporters of the North East club here: