City's youngsters succumbed to a hungry Sheffield Wednesday side, by two goals to nil, at the Michelin Sports Ground on Friday afternoon.

The match was played in freezing conditions and saw the young Stoke side start the game without their influential skipper Nathaniel Wedderburn, after the 17-year-old signed professional terms with the club and then joined League Two Notts County on loan on Thursday, with Marc Grocott, fresh from a loan spell of his own at Stafford Rangers, coming in to replace him and captain the side.

Stoke also had Rodney McDonald back after illness, with Ryan Connor moving to left back and Richard Vauls dropping to the bench.

The game struggled to get into any rhythm as the referee blew, seemingly, for every challenge that went in.

The visitors started the brighter and after 3 minutes they had their first effort as the number 9 picked the ball up from a throw in and dribbled it infield. He went past two Potters defenders before unleashing his shot from 20 yards, only to see it bobble harmlessly wide.

The Potters responded on ten minutes as Urwin collected the ball on the halfway line and breezed past 3 defenders before unleashing a powerful effort from 25 yards that whistled just over the bar.

Stoke were knocking the ball about well and after Urwin was upended on the right wing Moult delivered a dangerous free kick that top scorer Warwick Alexander met at the far post, but his header failed to trouble the keeper.

Grocott was next to attempt to break the deadlock but his 22 yard effort was well held by the keeper after Adam Vickers had nodded the ball into his path.

Wednesday hit back shortly after as their number 10 drove his way into the box, only for Diao-Jiminez and McDonald to come across and block him out before McDonald cleared the danger.

Moult was looking impressive and he played in Vickers just before the half hour but the Potters winger effort went just the wrong side of the crossbar.

The Potters defence were then put under immense pressure as first Tom Harrison had to race out to block a shot with his legs.

The ball spun out to Wednesday's number 9, who curled an effort onto the bar from 15 yards.

The ball flew out to the wing where it was crossed back in.

With Harrison back pedalling he managed to tip the ball onto the bar again and bounced out to the number 11 who struck a shot first time from 12 yards, Ashley Page came to the rescue on the line, deflecting the ball away.

The Potters composed themselves and went close to taking the lead just before half time as a Vickers cross, his last meaningful contribution before being subbed for Jack Harrison at half time, was headed inches wide by Moult.

The opening exchanges of the second half saw the visitors force Harrison into three saves from long distance.

Wednesday did manage to break the deadlock just before the hour as a breakaway saw a low cross get tapped to the number 7 at the back post, who smashed the ball into the top corner from 8 yards.

Wednesday then doubled their advantage minutes later as a cross from the right skidded across the penalty area before being met by the visitors number 11, who struck a powerful effort across goal and into the top corner.

Stoke were desperate for a quick way back into the game and, after collecting a Diao pass, Alexander held off two men before smashing his shot well over the bar before being subbed straight after, as the frustration began to show for the Potters.

The Potters moved to a 4-3-3 formation with Grocott playing up front with Urwin and Moult playing off him.

The Potters were inches away from reducing the deficit on 74 minutes as Harrison curled a great pass through to Moult, who dribbled the ball into the box before playing the ball back to Urwin on the edge of the box.

The winger struck his shot first time forcing the keeper into a fine save, the ball bouncing up and onto the crossbar.

Stoke then had a strong penalty claim turned down as Grocott was pulled down in the area, the referee bucking the trend he had set all game by not blowing his whistle.

The Potters were running the game now as the visitors struggled to contain them and another excellent Moult free kick was swung in to the far post where Stockhall rose highest but his header flashed across goal out for a goal kick.

Moult hadn't given up though and put another great cross in, which whistled across the 6-yard box, forcing the defender at the back post into a mistimed clearance before recovering and smashing the ball away.

The last chance of the game saw Urwin collect a clever pass from Jack Harrison before finding himself half a yard and unleashing a great effort from 25 yards, one which the keeper did well to hold onto.

Stoke now travel to the Ricoh Arena on Wednesday for a FA Youth cup 3rd round game against Coventry and are next at home on the 13th December when they take on Manchester City.

CITY (4-4-2): T. Harrison, Diao-Jiminez, Connor, McDonald, Page, Urwin, Vickers (J. Harrison 45), Nicholls, Grocott, Alexander(Stockhall 70), Moult.

By Dan Buxton