Mamady Sidibe's first half brace was enough to secure a comfortable win for the Potters, ahead of Saturday's game against Shrewsbury Town.

Tony Pulis was without a number of first team players including Liam Lawrence, Leon Cort, Ricardo Fuller and Dominic Matteo.

Dave Kitson was handed his first start on English soil, before being substituted at half time following a promising 45 minute outing.

The hosts started the brightest of the two sides with Matthew Hamshaw drilling an effort just wide of Steve Simonsen's right hand post after four minutes.

Former Northampton hit-man Jamie Forrester was next to try his luck from range, only to see his strike sail well wide.

City got their momentum going after fifteen minutes though, and with the first real meaningful attack the Potters were ahead.

Sidibe latched on to a delightful long ball forward and planted his header beyond former Port Vale keeper Kevin Pilkington, and into the back of the net.

Just five minutes later, the Malian international made it two.

Andy Griffin's quick free kick ignited a scramble in the penalty area, and Sidibe neatly controlled, swivelled and drilled the ball in to the bottom corner.

Simonsen was forced to pull of a superb reaction save mid-way through the first half, after Spencer Weir-Daley powered his header towards goal.

Despite plenty of possession as the half wore on, City were unable to add to their two goal lead, with Whelan going closest from long range.

Manager Pulis made three changes during the interval with Kitson, Sidibe and Diao all being replaced by Vincent Pericard, Jon Parkin and Carl Dickinson.

The change almost paid dividends minutes in to the second half as Parkin and Pericard linked up well, however Parkin blazed over the bar.

Former Juventus striker Pericard was again causing problems in the County penalty area, but after a surging run he smashed his 15-yard effort over.

Ian McParland's side almost got themselves back in to the game through Weir-Daley, but after using his pace to outrun Griffin, his shot was well saved down at the post by Simonsen.

The City keeper again showed his quality moments later as he superbly parried over Forrester's close range header.

Parkin then almost grabbed a goal after rising highest from Whelan's corner, but his header drifted just wide.

Minutes later he again went close, but after cleverly beating a defender, he curled his 25-yard effort just past the upright.

Young defender Ryan Shotton was introduced as the second half wore on, with the impressive and industrious Whelan making way.

New signing Matt Hamshaw then fired an effort from 40-yards, which Simonsen watched sail in to the Haydn Green Family Stand.

Neat build up play down the left flank led to Anthony Pulis trying his luck in the final stages, but his effort was comfortably gathered by Pilkington.