NOTTS COUNTY 0
STOKE CITY 0
Attendance: 2,125

STOKE CITY had the chances to make a winning start to their programme of pre-season games . . . but were forced to settle for a hard-fought goalless draw in the end at League One Notts County on Thursday evening.

Tuncay, Mamady Sidibe and substitute James Beattie all went close to breaking the deadlock at Meadow Lane against a County side who had their moments too, most notably one which fell to striker Lee Hughes.

The best of City's opportunities came in the closing stages of the first half when Turkish international Tuncay worked himself an opening but then saw his shot hit the underside of the bar and bounce out.

But likewise, County could have broken the deadlock moments later when Asmir Begovic saved well from Stephen Hunt.

There was certainly a competitive edge to the opening stages which included a clash between Glenn Whelan and Hughes.

And it was Hughes who should have put Craig Short's side in front in the 14th minute when he was left unmarked at the far post as he rose to meet a Ben Davies free kick, but the ball came off his shoulder and flew wide.

City's first threat in front of goal came from Tuncay when he was picked out by Matty Etherington following a burst down the left, but his glancing header flashed across the face of goal and did not trouble Robert Burch.

Sidibe had a glorious chance to put the Potters in front in the 36th minute when Liam Lawrence's cross from a tight angle on the left hung in the air, but from six yards out the big striker planted his header over the target.

Having weathered County's promising start, City appeared to be getting on top and an opening goal seemed on the cards when Tuncay conjured an opening for himself, only to see his rising shot come back out off the bar.

Both sides rang the changes after the break, Thomas Sorensen replacing Begovic after he suffered a dead leg when saving from Hunt before the other six substitutes were brought on nine minutes into the second half.

That certainly had an effect on proceedings as both sides struggled to carve out clearcut openings, but it was City who finished strongly with Beattie prominent and Ricardo Fuller showing flashes of his pace to trouble County.

Beattie had the best chance after being found by Fuller, but his short was brilliantly saved by County 'keeper Stuart Nelson.