Report: Sean Wozencroft

Snapshot: City fell to their first defeat in ten against promotion-chasing Stoke but will believe they should have got something from the game.

An own goal by Roger Johnson in the first half put the Potters ahead at the interval and then Ricardo Fuller made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after being nudged down by Kevin McNaughton.

But City pushed on and pulled one back through Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink from close range. The Bluebirds bombarded the Stoke box late on but could not find a way through. Stoke will feel they should have scored more but perhaps a point would have been a fair reflection. Ricardo Fuller was ultimately the difference between the sides.

Team News: Stephen McPhail returned to the centre of midfield after recovering from a hip problem at the expense of youngster Aaron Ramsey. Michael Oakes reclaimed his place between the posts after limping off following a collision against QPR midweek.

There were two new faces in the Stoke starting line-up after defeat at Charlton on Tuesday night. Salif Diao replaced captain John Eustace who moved to Watford on transfer deadline day. Mamady Sidibe returned to the fray after coming home from the African Cup of Nations.

Stoke City: Steve Simonsen, Andy Griffin ©, Ryan Shawcross, Leon Cort, Danny Pugh, Liam Lawrence, Salif Diao, Rory Delap, Richard Cresswell, Mamady Sidibe, Ricardo Fuller. Subs: Russell Hoult, Gabriel Zakuani, Jon Parkin, Paul Gallagher, Glenn Whelan

Cardiff City: Michael Oakes, Kevin McNaughton, Roger Johnson, Glenn Loovens, Tony Capaldi, Joe Ledley, Gavin Rae, Stephen McPhail, Peter Whittingham, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Paul Parry. Subs: Peter Enckelman, Darren Purse, Steve Thompson, Aaron Ramsey, Darcy Blake

Chronological Report

Not content to come to the Britannia and sit back, City showed early promise. A quick freekick to Stephen McPhail on four minutes was drilled over the bar from the edge of the area.

Both teams were looking for the early ball through the centre. Paul Parry produced the pace for City, Ricardo Fuller for the home side.

The first corner of the game fell to Stoke after good work by the dangerous Liam Lawrence. The former Sunderland man took it himself but Mamady Sidibe could not direct his header goalwards.

City attacked on 16 minutes with fantastic link-up play between Stephen McPhail, Joe Ledley and Tony Capaldi. The left back couldn't find a black shirt in the box with his low cross, however.

Stoke should have taken the lead on 19 minutes. A high ball was played into the area and Glenn Loovens completely missed his attempted overhead kick allowing Sidibe a chance from six yards but Michael Oakes spread his legs to make a magnificent stop.

Minutes later Peter Whittingham picked a loose ball inside the Stoke area and, at the second attempt, found Ledley, but his shot was dragged wide.

Hasselbaink then tried his luck with a trademark 35-yard thump after a probing ball from Whittingham, but it was straight at goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.

Stoke found a yard inside the area on 33 minutes after Capaldi lost this man. It came to Richard Cresswell and Roger Johnson had to make an important block.

Good build up play by the home side with seven minutes until the break earned the Potters a corner and they were ahead as a result. A dangerous setpiece bounced into the area and Loovens' clearance was hit against Johnson and rolled past the unexpecting Oakes. There was nothing the defender could do about his second own goal in two weeks.

Stoke City 1 v Cardiff City 0

City enjoyed plenty of possession but the better chances fell to Stoke and Dave Jones will have demanded better quality in the final third in the second period.

Half time - Stoke City 1 v Cardiff City 0

The second half started at the same low tempo with the Bluebirds failing to find any of the fluency of recent weeks. Stoke nearly extended their lead early in the second period from another fine corner, Ryan Shawcross' header flashing inches past the post.

On 55 minutes the locals were 2-0 ahead from the penalty spot. Fuller showed great strength and determination to bring the ball forward past Johnson and was nudged to the deck by McNaughton. It could have been argued that the Scot was the last man, but he only received a yellow and Fuller stepped up to take the penalty himself, slotting comfortably into the bottom right corner.

Welsh classic 'Delilah' rang out around the Britannia.

It could have been three on the hour as City rocked. Sidibe will he gutted not to have registered his first of the campaign when it was pulled back to him inside the area but he pulled his shot well wide.

Down the other end City finally had a clear sight of goal. Ledley might have shot himself but instead played in Parry, having a quiet game by his standards, whose shot was saved by Simonsen for a corner.

City had a vital goal back on 62 minutes. Whittingham's deep freekick was knocked back across goal by Parry and Hasselbaink was there for the easiest of finishes at the far post.

And the Dutchman should have levelled the clash just sixty seconds later when he raced clean through on goal. It was a nice height for Simonsen, though, who pushed it firmly out for a corner.

Now City were beginning to show glimpses of the football which has propelled them into the play-off shake-up as the game opened up. The ball was in the net on 75 minutes but was disallowed for a Hasselbaink foul on the 'keeper when challenging McPhail's cross.

Parry twice came close with ten minutes remaining, his first shot blocked and then his headed tipped behind.

City were controlling possession but the final ball was lacking. Stoke had their half chances also, Fuller's curling effort was deflected behind with eight remaining.

As City pushed forward in injury time with Johnson playing in attack, Fuller sprinted towards goal and only a fantastic last gasp tackle by McNaughton prevented the striker from adding to his tally.

Cardiff continued to bombard the home area but the Stoke defence stood firm and the travelling fans tasted defeat for the first time since December.

"The run was going to come to an end sometime and this is a difficult place to come," said Dave Jones. "I don't think we reached the height that we'll capable of but I think we dealt with everything they threw at us."