STOKE CITY'S injury-time hero Salif Diao hailed the never-say-die approach of his team-mates after popping up with a rare goal to clinch victory over Portsmouth in the Barclays Premier League.

The experienced midfielder's first goal for more than eight years snatched a 2-1 victory at Fratton Park that extended the Potters' unbeaten run to 10 matches and added to Pompey's troubles.

City came back a goal behind and overcame the sending off of full back Andy Wilkinson for two yellow cards to claim their second away win of the season with goals from Robert Huth and Diao.

"We've claimed four points this week when in matches where we have been down to 10 men, and it could so easily have been six points," said the former Liverpool man.

"That says a lot about the spirit in the camp. The team spirit is very strong and we show that on the pitch."

Diao admitted that his matchwinning heroics will silence his team-mates who have constantly reminded him of the fact that he had never scored since his move to the Potters.

"They were always at me in the dressing room, saying 'you never score'. But I don't get much chance to venture forward because it's my job to help the back four," he revealed afterwards.

"It's an impressive run that we are on, but that is a reflection of the fact that we have a good bunch of lads who all work together. We are closing in on that 40 point mark and it would be great to think we can get there in the next few weeks and then aim to improve upon last season's finish."

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant admitted that he threw caution to the wind because a draw was no good to them in their difficult position at the foot of the Premier League.

"We knew that a point was like zero, so we wanted to win the game," he said. "We played with many strikers because they were down to 10 men, but everything is going wrong."