Joel Asoro gave the relegated Black Cats a surprise lead against Slaviša Jokanović’s side, but Lucas Piazon restored parity before Mitrović headed a late winner to keep the Londoners firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion from the Championship.

The Serbian wasn’t the only United loanee on target over the weekend.

In League One, Ivan Toney found the net for the fourth time in six games as Scunthorpe United ran out 2-0 winners against Milton Keynes Dons. The Iron – whose victory confirmed the Dons’ relegation from the third tier – will secure a play-off place if they beat Plymouth Argyle at Glanford Park tomorrow.

Also on the scoresheet on Saturday was Stuart Findlay, though the defender and Kilmarnock came out on the wrong end of an eight-goal thriller against Hibernian at Easter Road.

Elsewhere, Jack Colback continued his run in the Nottingham Forest side as the Reds drew 0-0 at home to Bristol City on Saturday. Adam Armstrong and Alex Gilliead got 90 minutes under their belts, too, though it was a disappointing afternoon for both. Armstrong’s Blackburn Rovers lost 1-0 at Charlton Athletic, while Gilliead and Bradford City were beaten 2-0 by Southend United at Valley Parade.

It was a better day for Jamie Sterry, who started and finished Crewe Alexandra’s 2-1 win against Crawley Town. Meanwhile, Sean Longstaff was withdrawn late on as Blackpool held promotion-chasing Shrewsbury Town at Bloomfield Road.

On the continent, Matz Sels helped Anderlecht to a 3-1 win over Charleroi, with Les Mauves et Blancs still in with a chance of retaining the Belgian title. And, in Turkey, Henri Saivet played the first 80 minutes of Sivasspor’s 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Gençlerbirliği.