Aiden O'Brien's goal was enough to give Sunderland a 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers, on a day when they could have won by more.
Sunderland had the game's first good chance when Carl Winchester fed Josh Scowen who fired over, but the home side should have done better when Dion Sanderson gave the ball away, and Ayunga fired wide.
Charlie Wyke got his first sniff of goal when Lynden Gooch's shot was parried after a quick free-kick, but the Sunderland No 9's header dropped just wide.
Sunderland took the lead just before the break when Aiden McGeady's corner was sidefooted home by O'Brien.
They should have made it 2-0 just after the hour mark when Wyke dummied McGeady's cross but O'Brien saw his effort saved - although the officials gave a goal kick.
The visitors were grateful to goalkeeper Lee Burge late on after he Tutonda with an excellent save following a corner.
Here's how James Hunter rated the players.
LEE BURGE 7
Made several saves, including one excellent late stop to preserve the points
MAX POWER 6
A strong showing at right-back
DION SANDERSON 7
Got away with an error in the first half, but was otherwise very solid
LUKE O'NIEN 7
Won everything in the air and put his head in where it hurts in injury-time
CALLUM McFADZEAN 5
Looked a bit shaky at times, but it didn't prove costly
CARL WINCHESTER 6
Worked hard in the middle of the park
JOSH SCOWEN 5
The midfield battle did not really suit him
LYNDEN GOOCH 6
Brought a decent save out of Jaakkola in the first half, but too many crosses missed their mark
AIDEN O'BRIEN 7
A strong showing on his return from injury, capped with the decisive goal
AIDEN McGEADY 8
Provided the assist for the goal and also hit the woodwork with a free-kick late on
CHARLIE WYKE 7
Battled hard against Rovers' centre-backs, and brought a couple of good saves out of Jaakkola in the second half
SUBS
ROSS STEWART 5
For O'Brien 66mins. Struggled to make an impact at a time when Rovers were pushing forward
GRANT LEADBITTER 6
For Gooch 66mins. Reinforced the midfield
NOT USED: Matthews, Maguire, Diamond, Neil, Younger
