Sunderland's perfect start came to an end at Burton, with the Black Cats slipping to their first defeat of the season.
Jonny Smith's goal midway through the second half gave Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side the points, but Sunderland will look back and rue the chances they missed.
The Black Cats had the ball in the net through former Burton man Tom Flanagan in the last minute, but he was denied by the linesman's flag.
Here's how James Hunter rated the Sunderland players
Lee Burge 6
No chance with the goal and otherwise barely had a shot to save
Carl Winchester 6
Solid at right-back, and brought a good save out of the keeper in the second half
Tom Flanagan 7
Defensively sound, and only an offside flag denied him a late equaliser
Callum Doyle 7
Excellent alongside Flanagan
Dennis Cirkin 6
Did OK, but needs more games to get fully up-to-speed
Luke O'Nien 6
Brought more energy into central midfield
Dan Neil 6
Worked hard alongside O'Nien
Lynden Gooch 7
Did everything right bar finding a finish
Elliot Embleton 5
Decent first half but, overall, he was quiet by his standards
Aiden McGeady 6
Missed arguably the chance of the match in the first half
Ross Stewart 8
Sunderland's star man, Burton could not handle him. All that was missing was a goal
SUBS
Nathan Broadhead 6
For Embleton 70mins. A lively debut, and brought a save out of the keeper
Alex Pritchard 6
For Cirkin 70mins. Did his best to unlock the Burton defence
Not used: Patterson, Alves, O'Brien, Diamond, Wright
