Tony Pulis saw his transfer gambles pay off in stunning style as Stoke moved
out of the bottom three with a priceless victory over Rotherham at the Britannia
Stadium.
A first-half goal from Paul Warhurst - his first for the club since signing on
loan from Bolton on deadline day - and a brilliant performance by on-loan
goalkeeper Mark Crossley set City up for a crucial result, which was sealed
before half-time by Andy Cooke's sublime finish.
Cooke's strike - a perfect lob from all of 30 yards - eclipsed Warhurst's
early header in terms of quality, although neither player could overshadow
Crossley, whose inspired display frustrated the Millers throughout the 90
minutes.
Ronnie Moore's side were unfortunate as they rattled the woodwork twice in the
first half, but the visitors never looked like recovering from a lethargic start
which left them chasing the game.
Stoke's run of six matches without defeat had prevented the club from losing
touch with Brighton, but a tally of just three goals during those fixtures was
evidence of the problems facing manager Pulis.
His players looked lively early on and midfielder Peter Hoekstra forced
Millers keeper Mike Pollitt into a decent save after seven minutes with a low
shot from the edge of the box, although a lack of invention up front was again
obvious.
But in the 20th minute, City's frontline finally clicked when Cooke swung a
corner into the penalty area which Warhurst headed past Pollitt at the near post
after timing his run perfectly.
The goal gave the hosts confidence and Cooke lashed a left-foot volley over
the crossbar, but a quick counter attack from Rotherham then set up Alan Lee for
an 18-yard effort which Crossley did well to save.
The on-loan Middlesbrough keeper was beaten on the half-hour mark when Shaun
Barker hit the woodwork from long range, before John Mullin wasted an excellent
chance to equalise, firing into the crowd from just six yards.
The pressure continued to build on the home goal and Crossley produced another
excellent stop, tipping Guy Branston's goalbound strike over the crossbar,
before Stoke extended their lead with a brilliant goal five minutes before the
break.
Cooke appeared to have few options 30 yards from goal, but the striker
surprised Pollitt by producing a perfect lob which drifted over the keeper and
into the net.
Rotherham's misfortune continued as Branston's shot again came back off the
frame of the goal, and Crossley's fingertip save from Mark Robins on the stroke
of half-time ensured City maintained their two-goal lead at the break.
Chris Greenacre almost killed off Rotherham within six minutes of the restart
when his close-range header was scrambled away by Chris Swailes, but in the 64th
minute the visitors were finished.
Mullin caught Wayne Thomas with a late challenge, and a scuffle between the
pair ended in a straight red card for the Millers striker.
Moore's players responded to the dismissal with quick efforts from Paul Warne
and Gareth Farrelly, but both failed to trouble Crossley as Stoke closed out an
important win.
Teams
Stoke: Crossley, Thomas, Handyside, Shtaniuk, Marcus Hall,
Hoekstra, Gunnarsson, Warhurst, Neal (Clarke 90), Cooke,
Greenacre.
Subs Not Used: Banks, Gudjonsson, Mills, Williams.
Booked: Warhurst, Shtaniuk.
Goals: Warhurst 21, Cooke 40.
Rotherham: Pollitt, Shaun Barker, Swailes, Branston, McIntosh,
Sedgwick (Warne 59), Mullin, Daws, Farrelly,
Robins (Byfield 78), Lee (Richard Barker 78).
Subs Not Used: Hurst, Woodhouse.
Sent Off: Mullin (64).
Booked: Lee, Branston.
Att: 19,553
Ref: G Cain (Merseyside).
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