The Magpies’ youngsters more than matched Jack Ross’ League One side during the opening half, only to ship four goals after the break – including two in the first five minutes.
An own goal from the unfortunate Kelland Watts set the Black Cats on their way, with Charlie Wyke, Chris Maguire and substitute Benjamin Kimpioka also on target.
With things having looked so promising heading out for the second half, goalkeeper Harker was understandably disappointed with the final scoreline, but was quick to insist that he and his teammates will take a lot from the experience as a whole.
“For 45 minutes, we really held our own and showed we were capable of that standard. But I think the second half was an eye-opener of the standard we need to get to,” he told nufc.co.uk. “We should be proud of ourselves – two sloppy goals in the first couple of minutes of the second half have cost us, really, but we have to realise that we’ve done a lot better than anyone gave us a chance to do in this competition.
“I think we did really well to stay in the game in the first half. Obviously we didn’t have a lot of possession but once we got used to the pitch, got used to the crowd and got used to the physicality, we showed a spark. We got more of the ball and got further up the pitch, and we created a good chance. The second half, we still have to realise the physicality of the game. With the two set-pieces, they knew where they could catch us out – us not being as big or as strong as them. But, even at 4-0 down, I thought the team really stuck together and we battled until the final whistle.”
20-year-old Harker has been an ever-present throughout Newcastle’s run to the last 16 of the competition, helping Ben Dawson’s side to win each of their three group games before playing a vital role in their Second Round success over Macclesfield Town, when he made a crucial penalty save in a shootout victory at St. James’ Park.
Having been named as a substitute for the first team’s Emirates FA Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, it has been a whirlwind start to the New Year for the youngster, who took a moment to reflect on the past week or so before heading out of the Stadium of Light.
“The turnover from Saturday to Tuesday, being involved with the first team from just before Christmas and getting my first competitive appearance on the bench, was a massive confidence boost,” he said. “I came into this game feeling unbeatable. To let four in is a let-down for me personally, but when you lose you learn from it and you move on to the next one.
“It’s a rollercoaster, but that’s football. Playing at home to Macclesfield, saving a penalty, getting through to this round and getting this draw from it, it was a massive high. And then coming here, on a massive stage, being up for it and being positive about it, it’s sort of been an anti-climax in a way. But I’ll learn from it. I’ve got a lot of work to do to get to this standard and it’s really given me a sign of the next step in my career.”
