A double from Cameron Jerome and a penalty from strike-partner Peter Thorne helped relegation-threatened Cardiff achieve a victory over Stoke that will surely spell the end of the Potters' play-off hopes.

Manager Tony Pulis had called on his side to win six of their seven remaining fixtures, but they will have to emerge victorious from them all now to stand any chance after Jerome's 5th and 6th goals of the season formed a platform for the Bluebirds to win three precious points.

Stoke had begun brightly, signalling their intentions in the first minute when striker Gifton Noel-Williams brought the ball down with his back to goal and shot on the turn.

The 25-year-old striker then had an opportunity after collecting a hopeful punted clearance from Clint Hill, but Bluebirds defender Danny Gabbidon covered excellently to deny him a shot.

Potters keeper Steve Simonsen then pulled off what appeared to be a tremendous tip-over save from a flicked Jerome header, although the referee awarded a goal kick before a mistake from defender Gerry Taggart led to Cardiff's opening goal.

The 34-year-old former Northern Ireland international, suffering from a broken toe, gave away possession allowing Jerome a clear sight of goal and the striker made no mistake, stroking the ball coolly past Simonsen.

Stoke had a claim for a penalty turned down when Lewis Neal's header seemed to be handled by James Collins but on their next attack Tony Pulis' side levelled the score.

A free-kick on the edge of the Cardiff box was rolled to Hill by David Brammer and the 26-year-old former Tranmere defender blasted his first goal of the season past keeper Neil Alexander from 25 yards, before Neal nearly put the home side ahead when he rattled the woodwork with another header.

Noel-Williams was guilty of a calamitous mistake as he bizarrely cleared Kenwyne Jones's downward header off the Cardiff goal-line when it appeared destined for the net and it was to prove a costly error as Cardiff went back in front with another smart finish from Jerome.

Former Potters striker Peter Thorne combined with Joe Ledley to feed his strike partner and as Simonsen advanced from goal the nimble forward lifted the ball over him and into the net.

Matters quickly worsened for Stoke when Lewis Buxton gave away a penalty.

The defender was dispossessed while dwelling on the ball and as he attempted to win back possession his crude tackle from behind on Jobi McAnuff brought the Bluebirds midfielder down in the box.

And it was Thorne who compounded the Potters' misery.

The 31-year-old forward stalled his run up, waited for Simonsen to commit and as the big keeper dived left, he stroked the ball into the opposite side of the net for his 13th goal of the season.

Teams:

Stoke Simonsen, Buxton, Thomas, Taggart, Hill, Harper (Henry 77), Brammer, Russell, Neal (Asaba 65), Jones (Gudjonsson 76), Noel-Williams.

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Ricketts.

Booked: Buxton, Taggart, Hill, Henry.

Goals: Hill 40.

Cardiff Alexander, Barker, Gabbidon, Collins, Vidmar, McAnuff, Ardley, Langley, Ledley, Jerome (Boulding 83), Thorne (Lee 76).

Subs Not Used: Margetson, Boland, Williams.

Booked: Jerome.

Goals: Jerome 26, 58, Thorne 60 pen.

Att: 12,785

Ref: A Hall (W Midlands).