Phew.

For a game that had no goals, not a massive amount of full-stretch goalkeeping action... that was strangely quite intense.

Sunderland look lively through Aiden McGeady and Chris Maguire, and have needed the cool heads of Luke O'Nien and Lee Burge at the other end.

Tranmere have been really good, utilising the pace of Danny Lloyd, Danny Lloyd, Kieron Morris and Liam Feeney to great effect.

Keeping concentration at the back will be key though, Sunderland can strike at any moment.

Image source, Rex Features

Tranmere break through Liam Feeney after a big diagonal from Sunderland is cut out...

Feeney rolls a tantalising ball into the box which is set for Danny Lloyd but then blocked by Josh Scowen.

Grant Leadbitter powers the corner away for Sunderland.

Three minutes of added time.

It's been a bit harum-scarum this game. Open, frantic, frenetic. No goals.

Conor McLaughlin is on for Tom Flanagan.

His first task is to prepare for a Tranmere corner after a Liam Feeney cross is blocked behind.

Chris Maguire hares into the box, his cross is blocked but comes back to the winger with space and Sunderland look to be in.

However, the winger's cut-back to Aiden McGeady rolls agonisingly just away from him and the chance goes begging.

Then Tranmere look to break, and a cynical foul brings Rovers to a halt.

Play stopped for injury. It's been a tough half for Tom Flanagan. He's coming off.

Image source, Rex Features

Aiden McGeady is the kind of player to get you off your feet and he almost gets Sunderland in front, but his zippy shot fizzles wide of the Rovers goal.

Bit of a purple patch for the Black Cats.

More end to end stuff. Tranmere get down the left in the Sunderland half and it's another good cross which Tom Flanagan completely swipes at and misses.

Thankfully for Sunderland, Luke O'Nien nonchalantly nods the ball back to goalkeeper Lee Burge. Cool as a cucumber.

There's a ripple of excitement for Sunderland when Chris Maguire stands over a set-piece but that excitement has just splattered out like air from a balloon as his effort sails over the bar.

Disappointing.

Brave from Lee Burge to plunge at the feet of Tranmere attackers after Liam Feeney got away down the Sunderland right.

The Black Cats respond with an attack, Peter Clarke clips Charlie Wyke and Sunderland get a free-kick edge of the box...

Sunderland break forward and Aiden McGeady gets down the left, his cross whips through to the far post where it's recycled.

Max Power bends in a fine ball which Charlie Wyke attacks but can't get a clean connection.

McGeady gets another dig in from the left, but Rovers smother the attack.

Sunderland on the back foot and Kieron Morris continues to cause problems through the middle.

Tom Flanagan stubs a cross clear, Tranmere reload and Otis Khan whips in another cross.

It's the white shirts who are imposing themselves.

Sunderland in fairness have looked well-drilled at the back in return, and continue to mop up.

Lovely ball forward from Peter Clarke is brought down on the turn by Kieron Morris, who sets off towards goal for Tranmere.

He slips in Otis Khan down the right, but the cross overruns everyone on the far side.

More positive work for Tranmere though.

Tranmere have got plenty of balls into the box but Lee Burge has been equal.

They're doing plenty right though.

Callum McFadzean was played in smartly but his driving run was not back up with the right pass and the ball is given back to Tranmere.

Then Aiden McGeady wins a free-kick for Sunderland in midfield. The ball is worked to Chris Maguire from McGeady, but a skiddy deflected shot skims wide.

Corner. No Charlie Wyke at the moment, he's off getting treatment on a cut.

Max Power meets another cross at the back post, but his header bounces into the ground and over.

Kaiyne Woolery tries to slip Kieron Morris in and does but his shot is blocked.

Tranmere stepping up the pressure and Sunderland with some defending to do.

No noticeable gap in quality between League One and League Two opposition. Credit to Tranmere.

Image source, Rex Features

Postpublished at 25 mins

25 mins

Sunderland 0-0 Tranmere

Callum McFadzean gets a painful stud to the face from the trailing boot of Kaiyne Woolery. It's left a bit of a cut it seems.

Ouch.

Sunderland's defender is having treatment. Tranmere were flooding forward then.

Lovely work from Aiden McGeady who sells Otis Khan with a body swerve and his cross is met by Charlie Wyke.

It's put behind by Tranmere but the corner is guided away.

Sunderland win a throw deep in the Tranmere half and it's hoisted in but Otis Khan turns it away.

Callum McFadzean tried to toss it back into the mix for Sunderland but it's easily dealt with.

Image source, Rex Features

Lee Burge comes through a crowd in the Sunderland box to punch the Liam Feeney free-kick away.

Then Otis Khan pumps one to the back-post from the right and eventually it's cleared.

Sustained pressure from Rovers.

Callum MacDonald tries to slip a pass to the onrushing Liam Feeney but it pings off the Tranmere man's shin and out for a goal-kick.

Both sides getting their combinations working.

Danny Lloyd is clobbered in the Sunderland half after Tranmere win the ball.

Free-kick in a dangerous spot on the left. Thirty yards from goal.