Fellow summer signing Paul Hayes could have added a second after combining well with Paterson and Jim Goodwin before the break, but was denied by a good stop from Ward.
Izzy Iriekpen also made his home debut, playing alongside Andy Crosby in the centre of defence.
Sunderland's side included European Cup winner Dwight Yorke, who made his name as a striker with Aston Villa and Manchester United but now plays in a holding midfield role.
Black Cats boss Roy Keane handed starts to summer signings Greg Halford, Dickson Etuhu and Michael Chopra. But England U21 winger Kieran Richardson was left out, as was Scotland international defender Russell Anderson.
Sunderland may be a top flight side, but there was little about them which suggested they were from a division above the Iron.
United kept them quiet, with the best chance of the opening half a 30-yard drive from Darryl Murphy which went wide. Halford headed an effort straight at Iron keeper Joe Muphy.
Chopra and Etuhu were replaced at the break, and five changes saw Sunderland look more dangerous.
But Scunthorpe always looked most likely to extend their advantage - with the best chances falling to Hayes, who was unable to convert.
Murphy hit the outside of a post in the second period, but United were good value for the win.
Sunderland: Ward (Fulop 46), Halford, Collins (Wallace 46), Yorke, Nosworthy, Varga (Pelter 46), Etuhu (John 46), Whitehead (Miller 46), Chopra (Connolly 46), Leadbitter (Dennehy 70), Murphy.