6 Steffen: Needs to do better for the goal but made two excellent late saves to deny Stoke.

6 Smith: Kept busy but kept his cool and was solid.

7 McNair: Confident display. Solid defensively and calm in possession, carrying the ball out and through midfield.

6 Lenihan: Tested defensively by a Stoke side that showed more attacking intent than most teams at the Riverside. Solid.

5 Giles: Caught out for the goal. Tried to get forward in the second half when he could but pinned back by impressive Hoever.

6 Howson: Alongside Hackney, struggled to get a grip of the game in the middle against the impressive Smallbone. Replaced in the second half.

5 Hackney: A rare off night for the young midfielder, who was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession.

5 Ramsey: Bright early on but lost his way. Lucky to not give away a penalty. Frustrating night for the Villa loanee.

7 Akpom: Hit the bar early on, took his goal well and drifted into pockets of space looking to make things happen.

6 McGree: Started bright and teed up the first goal for Akpom. Grew frustrated as the game went on.

5 Archer: Started with real positive intent but it never really fell for him in the box. Frustrating night.

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Subs:

Barlaser (for Howson, 66): Tried to get on the ball but bit sloppy in possession. 6.

Forss (for Archer, 66): Full of running but couldn’t make his mark. 6.

Finch (for Ramsey, 89): N/A

Subs not used: Roberts, Bola, Fry, Mowatt

Stoke: Bonham 7, Hoever 7, Sterling 7, Wilmot 7, Tuanzebe 6 (Fox, 66), Pearson 6 (Thompson, 82) Laurent 6, SMALLBONE 8, Campbell 7, Brown 7, Gayle 6 (Baker, 86)

Subs not used: Fielding, Taylor, Redding, Holland-Wilkinson.

Man of the match: Will Smallbone. Brilliant midfield performance. Got better as the game went on and went close a couple of times in the second half.