STOKE CITY'S second string succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Fulham in Tuesday night's Barclays Premier Reserve League encounter at Motspur Park.
Strikes from Danny Hoesen and Chris Buchtmann in either half were enough to secure the hosts all three points in a somewhat lethargic affair in the capital.
Ahead of the game assistant manager Peter Reid handed starts to David Kitson and Steve Simonsen in a side which was otherwise largely made up of scholars from the Academy.
Fulham's starting eleven featured first teamers Pascal Zuberuhler, Magnus Elm, Frederic Stoor and Paul Konchesky, who were all looking to impress the watching Roy Hodgson.
Despite the best attempts of a spirited Potters side, it was the hosts who looked the brighter of the two teams throughout the duration of the match.
Midfielder Buchtmann was on hand to turn Konchesky's dangerous ball into the penalty area home shortly before the half time interval to fire Fulham ahead, whilst Hoesen rounded off the victory in the second half with a well taken strike in the 75th minute.
Kitson and the tireless Louis Moult tried their hardest to get City back in the game with long range efforts, but Fulham's Swiss international stopper was on hand to thwart their attempts.
Reid, who was deputising for regular boss Mark O'Connor, then made a late triple substitution to try and forge a late flurry of goals, however, it wasn't to be as the hosts held on to secure all three points.
CITY: Simonsen; Hedley (Stockhall 86), Cohen, Davies, McDonald; Lund, Faye, Mitchell (Sinclair 86), Forster (Jackson 86); Moult, Kitson. Subs: Parton.
