James Beattie's second goal in three games was enough to secure an outstanding victory over Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon, despite playing the majority of the match with just ten men.

The powerful striker rose highest to exquisitely guide home Matthew Etherington's cross right on the stroke of half time, just minutes after the being controversially reduced to ten after Rory Delap saw red for violent conduct.

Despite their one man disadvantage the Potters stayed strong and produced an unbelievably courageous performance to secure a vital victory and elevate themselves out of the relegation zone.

Ahead of the game manager Tony Pulis made two changes to the starting line up, with Ricardo Fuller partnering Beattie in attack at the expense of Richard Cresswell, while Danny Higginbotham's injury meant a return to the first eleven for the versatile Danny Pugh, who went on to put in an outstanding performance at left back.

The hosts started January signings Craig Bellamy and Nigel De Jong, while samba star Robinho and England's Shaun Wright-Phillips both took up slots on either flank.

It was that trio which almost helped Mark Hughes' side to the perfect start after nine minutes, but following their clever link up play Stephen Ireland couldn't control his volley and lashed well wide of the left hand post.

The Potters then took the game by the scruff of the neck and won a series of corner kicks, all of which keeper Joe Hart was equal to. A third consecutive flag kick almost saw Mark Hughes' side snatch the lead through Brazilian superstar Robinho.

A classic counter attack saw Shaun Wright-Phillips burst down the pitch before squaring to Bellamy, who then neatly flicked the ball through to Robinho, but with just Sorensen to beat he fired a tame effort straight at the Danish number one.

A trademark Delap long-throw then found England under 21 international Shawcross inside the 6-yard box, but after pulling of an exquisite flick to divert the ball goalwards, Hart steadied himself to comfortably claim the ball on his line.

Another dangerous set-piece then found the powerful defender once again in the 29th minute, only this time he glided his header over the bar and into the section of the Seat Stand housing the visiting supporters.

A sickening clash of heads between Amdy Faye, who penned a new deal with the club just 24 hours ago, and De Jong resulted in a three minute hold up as the pair received treatment, before all the drama unfolded in the final seven minutes of the half.

Wright-Phillips over ran the ball straight into the path of Etherington, but responded to win the ball back with what appeared to be a two footed lunge on the former West Ham man, with the referee waving play on, Delap clattered into the back of the pacy winger and then followed that up by kicking the ball against his legs.

Following consultation with his linesman, Mark Atkinson came to the decision to issue a straight red, and seemingly dent City's hopes of pulling off a shock result. However, as the next 60 minutes proved, you can always expect the unexpected with Tony Pulis' side.

Some neat interplay down the left wing let in Etherington who fired across an outstanding ball to Beattie, who from eight yards out readjusted himself as he jumped backwards and somehow powered the ball into the bottom left hand corner, leaving Joe Hart helpless, to send the 24,000 City supporters wild.

During the interval, Pulis brought on Cresswell to replace Fuller, who picked up a knock, and he slotted in to the left hand side of midfield, with Etherington moving out to the right to cover for Delap's loss.

The start of the second half demonstrated exactly what the second period would all be about. The visitors were dominant with their extra man but once they got to within 20-yards of City's goal, there was no way they were getting through.

Their patience and inventiveness was nonexistent and they continued to try their luck from long distance, but again and again it proved to be to no avail.

Robinho danced his way down the left wing on several occasion but after beating one man, another was close by to ensure nothing would come from his darting runs.

Combative midfielder Ireland threaded through Bellamy on the hour, and after side-stepping Shawcross he curled an effort inches over the bar, with Sorensen left stranded.

The hosts always looked dangerous on the counter attack though with Etherington proving to be a constant menace to the likes of Micah Richards and Wayne Bridge, as he teased them with his pace, skill and vision.

Former Manchester United star Hughes played his final hands as the second half wore on, but the introduction of Felipe Caicedo and Elano failed to rejuvenate his side, and the Potters back line continued to stand strong.

A brief spell in the Citizens half almost resulted in a second goal for the Potters, and a third goal in three games for the impressive Beattie. The powerful striker brilliantly controlled a long punt forward from Wilkinson and swivelled before launching an effort which dipped just over the bar via a deflection off Richards.

Hughes was instructing his players to pile forward as the second half wore on, so Pulis responded by bringing on Andy Griffin and Ibrahima Sonko as he set up a five man back line.

They stood firm despite the attempts of Elano and Bellamy to secure a fantastic win following a nervy three minutes of added time, and pick up a first win of the new year.