Going into this game Lennie Lawrence said his side needed to score a few goals against someone to kick things off. No one would have expected though for it to be on a Tuesday night away at Stoke. The bookies had Stoke as odds on favourites to take the three points as they've proved to have one of the toughest defences in the division. Even the possibility of Cardiff getting the draw had long odds.

Stoke kicked off the game by forcing Cardiff to concede two early corners. Their domination was short though as Cardiff pushed back. Cameron Jerome made an early nuisance of himself and got a great chance with a free header over the bar.

In the half Cardiff were the more attacking of the two sides and it was Jerome that opened the scoring. Some neat play set up Thorne in possession who timed his pass perfectly through to Jerome who with still work to do used his pace and sent the ball underneath the 'keeper.

Richard Langley playing in a central mid-field position caused the home side some problems, getting himself into good positions and creating chances inside the box.

Stoke didn't really look that threatening but they managed to equalise minutes before the break. A clumsy defensive error from Cardiff gave away a free kick just outside the area. A perfectly taken shot sent the ball around the Cardiff wall and gave Alexander little chance of defending his net.

It could have been another goal for Stoke moments later also when a Vidmar slip gifted them with a clear chance.

Into the second half both sides exchanged early shots. Chris Barker who was on-loan at the Britannia Stadium earlier in the season played forward looking for the pass through, but to his delight the defence opened up and allowed him to send a shot just wide. From the clearance Stoke reacted and had a great chance to take the lead.

Then came ninety seconds of fortune for Cardiff, a quarter of an hour in. First a move that started in Cardiff's own half by Jobi, played forward and finding Thorne who again was the provider to Jerome, who this time sent the ball over the 'keeper to give Cardiff a 1-2 lead.

The second bit of fortune gave Cardiff their third goal. Jobi again crucial in his play was brought down inside the box. Once favourite in Stoke, Peter Thorne stepped up and coolly made the penalty pay.

Lennie made a change upfront by replacing Thorne with Lee.

Cardiff continued to push forward and another Jobi move into the box saw several Cardiff players queuing up to take a shot. The ball came to Ardley who's shot went wide.

Some of the Stoke fans had left early after the third goal went in, however the one's who remained were still audible singing the Tom Jones tune Delilah.

Michael Boulding was given a run-out and gave some neat runs late on. He came on to replace Jerome after a job well done.

Stoke City 1 Cardiff City 3