Stoke City vs Stevenage

Reaction as Stoke City beat Stevenage in the FA Cup fourth round tie at the bet365 Stadium.

Celina: Looks a useful addition with much-needed ability to run at defenders and make space for himself and others. Certainly not a touchline hugger. Smallbone: Some good reading of the game and athleticism to go with it as he nicked the ball in the final third. Laurent: Captain for the day and full of energy, with some clever passes and good work winning the ball back. Kept the ball moving. Thompson: Willing cover on the left when Tymon and Celina committed to attacks. An assist and very busy. Wilmot: Well up for it against his hometown club, defending vigorously and attacking corners fiercely. 7 6 Brown went down as he was tackled by Jonathan Tomkinson and Lewis Baker gladly took the chance to clatter in from the spot. Laurent was clearly emotional as he celebrated down in front of the Boothen End.

Match report as Jacob Brown put Stoke ahead inside three minutes; Jamie Reids leveller for Stevenage was immediately cancelled out as Josh Laurent put Stoke ...

We know we've still got a lot of work to do but we're doing our best to get there as quickly as we can." If your fans believe in you, it really is like a 12th man on the pitch at times. He said: "We don't get a penalty for a handball and the referee's excuse is that the hand's by his side. The referee effectively kills the cup tie, but we're very proud of our efforts in the FA Cup. He then watches the replay as we kick off again and he's then told my players that he got it wrong. The Stevenage stopper was busy in the opening period and produced a string of impressive saves to keep the tie within reach.

In-form League Two side Stevenages FA Cup run came to an end on Sunday as they were defeated 3-1 by Stoke City in an entertaining tie.

Reid - scorer of the stoppage time winner at Villa in the third round - prodded over an onrushing Jack Bonham with Wilmot failing to clear. Although the travelling supporters' spirits were not dampened by the early setback, they were indebted to an inspired Taye Ashby-Hammond for keeping the game tight. And despite the tactical tweak, the hosts snatched an early lead with the Kosovo international taking no time at all to adapt to his new surroundings.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT THE BET365 STADIUM: The truth was Stoke should have been well out of sight, with Stevenage indebted to goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond,

Moments later and Stevenage punished Stoke for failing to kill the game off. It looked harsh on Tomkinson, who clearly won the ball before making contract with the man. It had already been a good weekend for Stevenage with the only team above them in League Two, Leyton Orient, losing 1-0 at Tranmere on Saturday. Their fans yelled for handball against Josh Laurent when the ball deflected up onto his arm at close quarters. Neil wouldn’t have been surprised to see his team troubled by the battling qualities Evans has instilled. Alas, it wasn’t to be this time for Steve Evans and his doughty team.