Sunderland's preparations for Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final clash against Sheffield United were given a shot in the arm with three points against Walsall.

The Black Cats, who can move level on points with third-placed Wigan if they win their remaining two games in hand, were head and shoulders above the home side all evening in what emerged an ideal warm-up for this weekend's eagerly-anticipated clash at the Stadium of Light.

Argentina international Julio Arca gave the Black Cats a first-half advantage with his sixth goal of the season.

The left-back set off on a typically dynamic run from defence before rifling a sweet strike into the left-hand corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

But despite being second best all game, Walsall restored parity through Neil Emblen's strike - after good work from Vinny Samways.

However, the Saddlers have yet to win this year, and their brittle confidence was exposed 60 seconds later when Kevin Kyle headed home before substitute Marcus Stewart added gloss to the scoreline with a close-range tap-in after 81 minutes.

Despite making a sluggish start, the visitors opened the scoring with virtually their first foray into the Walsall penalty area.

A speculative delivery into the box was not dealt with by the Saddlers defence and the ball fell to Black Cats striker Tommy Smith.

Smith's control let him down but Arca was on hand to unleash a vicious drive from 18 yards which fizzed into the back of the net.

To add to the home side's troubles, Steve Corica had to be replaced by Pedro Matias shortly before the break after the midfielder sustained an injury.

It was difficult to see where Walsall would muster an equaliser from as Sunderland went in to cruise control after opening the scoring.

But eight minutes into the second half, and completely against the run of play, Walsall drew level courtesy of Emblen's predatory instincts.

Samways let fly from 25 yards and forced a superb save from Mart Poom, but unfortunately for the goalkeeper, the ball fell loose to Emblen who made no mistake from close range.

However, Walsall's celebrations were premature as Sunderland regained supremacy a minute later when John Oster clipped a delightful ball into the box and Kyle rose above two statuesque defenders to head the ball firmly into the roof of the net.

Shell-shocked, the Saddlers went about salvaging a point but found Sunderland's stout defence in no mood for compromise.

And the victory was confirmed nine minutes from time when Stewart latched on to Jason McAteer's inswinging delivery and side-footed the ball into the back of the net.

Teams

Walsall Walker, Bazeley, Emblen, Ritchie, Aranalde, Osborn, Wrack (Wright 45), Samways (Fryatt 63), Corica (Matias 43), Leitao, Wales.

Subs Not Used: Petterson, Caines.

Goals: Emblen 53.

Sunderland Poom, Williams, McCartney, Babb, Arca, McAteer, Whitley, Oster (Stewart 76), Thirlwell, Kyle (Byfield 86), Tommy Smith.

Subs Not Used: Clark, Ingham, Thornton.

Booked: Kyle.

Goals: Arca 18, Kyle 54, Stewart 81.

Att: 7,185

Ref: A Kaye (W Yorkshire).