Stoke 3-2 Southampton (Coca-Cola Championship)

Stoke 3-2 Southampton
Stoke held off a Southampton fightback for a crucial victory in a pulsating encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

The Saints' Darrel Powell put through his own net following a goalmouth scramble to give the Potters the lead.

Headers by Ryan Shawcross and Mamady Sidibe from Liam Lawrence corners made it 3-0 for the hosts at half-time.

Stern John fired home a 20-yard volley straight after the break and slotted in from Andrew Davies' pass but the visitors could not find an equaliser.

Stoke: Simonsen, Griffin, Cort, Shawcross, Pugh, Lawrence (Zakuani 87), Delap, Diao, Whelan, Sidibe, Fuller.
Subs Not Used: Hoult, Parkin, Gallagher, Pericard.

Booked: Pugh, Fuller.

Goals: Powell 27 og, Shawcross 35, Sidibe 44.

Southampton: Davis, Davies (Wright-Phillips 80), Powell, Ostlund, Wright, Viafara, Surman, Saganowski, Idiakez (McGoldrick 88), Euell, John.
Subs Not Used: Hammill, Lallana, James.

Booked: Saganowski, Idiakez, Ostlund.

Goals: John 46, 54.

Att: 19,481

Ref: Nigel Miller (Durham).