STOKE 2

(Berahino, 79) (Ince, 81)

ROVERS 3

(Dack, 26) (Graham, 45) (Reed, 47)

Rovers left the bet365 Stadium with all three points - but only after a late scare in which Saido Berahino missed an injury-time penalty.

Goals from Bradley Dack, Danny Graham and Harrison Reed saw Rovers cruising in the second half as three points looked a formality.

It was as good a performance as they had put in this season for the first 80 minutes, but a late implosion almost saw them undo all of their good hard work.

Berahino had an eventful second half, scoring the hosts’ first with 11 minutes to go, before turning provider for Tom Ince’s goal nine minutes from time.

And he had an excellent chance to earn a point for his side after Darragh Lenihan brought him down in the box, only to crash an 93rd spot-kick against the bar.

Rovers made three changes from the midweek draw at Derby County, but there was no return for skipper Charlie Mulgrew as he missed out again, this time with a calf strain.

Those coming in were Danny Graham and Elliott Bennett, plus a first start for Harrison Reed as Craig Conway dropped out of the 18, and Adam Armstrong and Kasey Palmer to the bench.

Having tried to press Derby high up the pitch on Tuesday there was a change of approach from Rovers who decided to sit off the Potters and keep a disciplined shape behind the ball.

There was little by way of goalmouth action in the early stages, though Rovers had settled well.

But it needed excellent covering from Richie Smallwood to stop Tom Ince getting clear of the Rovers backline, while after beating Amari’i Bell, the Stoke winger saw his cross hit Joe Allen and drift wide of the post.

Bell was getting acres of space down the Rovers left, but didn’t use it effectively enough as the game ticked past its first quarter without a shot on target.

However, with 26 minutes on the watch Rovers took the lead. Patient build-up on the edge of the Stoke boss saw Smallwood’s through-ball deflected in to the path of Bradley Dack who adjusted his body to get a left foot shot away which found the back of the net courtesy of the post.

Graham had been restored to the starting line-up for his capabilities in attack, but after two good pieces of defending in the left back area he almost put his side in trouble eight minutes before the break. An attempted drag back didn’t come off, with Allen’s pull-back finding Martina whose shot was excellently blocked by Corry Evans.

That was during the hosts’ best period of the game, but as they did at Derby, Rovers defended manfully courtesy of some excellent blocks and covering.

Graham showed just what he offers though as he made it 2-0 to Rovers in the 45th minute. Elliott Bennett’s raking ball sailed over the head of Ryan Shawcross, who attemped to play offside to no avail, allowing the striker to take the ball down on his chest and slot the ball beyond Butland and in to the left corner.

Contrasting fortunes greeted the players at the interval, Stoke booed off while Rovers lauded as the two teams left the field in front of the travelling 1,800 fans.

Stoke made a switch at the break as former Rover Mame Diouf was replaced by Saido Berahino.

But the second half start as the first finished, with Rovers finding the back of the net. Derrick Williams’ ball was chested down by Bennett whose reverse ball put Dack clear. He opt to square the ball for Reed who composed himself with one touch before slotting under Butland.

A spell of Stoke pressure followed, the hosts with the home crowds’ boos ringing in their ears. Evans blocked an Ince shot, while Lenihan was well placed to deal with two Stoke crosses.

But the game should well and truly have been put to bed 10 minutes after the re-start. Graham led a Rovers counter from inside their own half, and as the hosts tried to play offside, Dack was in the clear. Butland stood strong to keep out his first attempt, while post denied his second with the goal at his mercy.

As Lenihan dealt well with a Martina cross under pressure from Afobe, Peter Crouch was sent on to partner Bergaino for the remaining half an hour.

It was clear after his arrival what Stoke’s approach would be, with the veteran striker winning the first ball played up to him and as Rovers failed to clear, Martina blasted over from eight yards out.

The ball kept being pumped in, but their three goal lead was still intact as the game ticked in to the finalquarter.

Rovers were eating the ground up out of possesion though, covering every part of the pitch in a bid to keep Stoke at bay.

But any signs of a quiet finish were undone with 10 minutes to go. Crouch beat Nyambe in the air, with the ball coming off Berahino to nestle in the corner.

Rovers only had time to make their first change, as Joe Rothwell came on before their lead became just 3-2 just two minutes later.

This time Berahino was the provider as he thumped a shot across the Rovers box which was turned it at the far post by Ince.

A home crowd which had emptied substantially suddenly found their voices and Rovers’ nerves were starting to show.

There was a scare for Rovers in the next attack as Etebo’s cross was met by Crouch three yards out and somehow kept out by a combination of Raya and Lenihan.

And there was even later drama when Berahino hit the bar from the spot as Rovers picked up a third win of the campaign.

Stoke: Butland, Martina, Shawcross, Martins Indi (Bojan, 89) Pieters, Allen, Etebo, Woods, Ince, Diouf (Berahino, 46), Afobe (Crouch, 60)

Subs: Federici, Williams, Fletcher, Edwards

Rovers: Raya, Nyambe, Lenihan, Williams, Bell, Evans, Smallwood, Reed, Dack (Armstrong, 84), Bennett, Graham (Brereton, 84)

Subs: Leutwiler, Downing, Travis, Palmer