NEWPORT COUNTY 2 (Rose, Cochlin)
STOKE CITY XI 0

City slipped to a 2-0 defeat in South Wales on Wednesday night against Conference South side Newport County.

Second half strikes from Danny Rose and Paul Cochlin inflicted the suprise result on the Potters, who rarely threatened their lower league opposition.

However, as Tony Pulis has reiterated pre-season is all about fitness rather than results. The hosts started the game brightly and could have taken the lead in the 8th minute had Steve Simonsen not saved brilliantly to deny Rose from 18-yards.

Further chances were spurned by the exiles as the pushed the Potters deep into thir own half. City almost snatched the lead in the 35th minute when Matthew Lund headed inches wide of the left hand post after Danny Pugh picked him out.

Tom Soares then went close moments later but he like Lund headed wide with just the keeper to beat.

After the impressive Simonsen was finally beaten in the 44th minute, his left hand post came to his rescue to frustrate Rose who had caused the Potters backline all sorts of problems throughout the proceedings.

The second half began and again it was the hosts who looked the brighter of the two sides with Craig Reid firing just over after he found himself free inside the penalty area.

The breakthrough did finally come though and when it did come it was an absolute thunderbolt from Dave Gilroy, who sent a 25-yard effort screaming into the top right hand corner to leave Simonsen helpless.

Youngster Louis Moult almost levelled the scoreline shortly after as the Potters pushed for an equaliser, however, it was the hosts who completed a memorable win with a late effort from Cochlin.

CITY: Simonson, Davies (Connor 57), Pugh, Faye, Dickinson, Sonko, Soares, Diao, Moult, Lund, Tonge. Subs (not used): Parton (gk), McDonald, Nicholls.