Stoke gave themselves some breathing space at the foot of the First Division table after goals from Brynjar Gunnarsson and Ade Akinbiyi helped them to victory over Wimbledon.

Gunnarsson found the mark on the half hour, heading home from the edge of the penalty area after good work from Peter Hoekstra, and Akinbiyi made it two in first-half injury time to calm the nerves at the Britannia Stadium.

Wimbledon pulled a goal back at the beginning of the second half through Neil Shipperley, but Tony Pulis' men held on for the vital win.

Wimbledon had been forced into making a change in the first five minutes, when Darren Holloway was replaced by Ben Chorley after picking up what looked to be a serious injury, but they still created the first real opportunity of the game - Mark Crossley having to move smartly to keep out a 25-yarder from Nigel Reo-Coker.

At the other end Kelvin Davis saved from Gunnarsson, and James O'Connor volleyed over the crossbar, before the home side did take the lead on the half hour.

Hoekstra was the provider, and Gunnarsson found the back of the net with a cracking header from the edge of the area.

O'Connor shot wide from 20 yards as the home side went for the second goal.

Paul Warhurst and Sergey Shtaniuk both headed wide for Stoke, before the Potters did make it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time through Akinbiyi.

The former Crystal Palace striker fired home right-footed from the edge of the area.

Wimbledon fought their way back into it just six minutes into the second half when Shipperley fired in from the edge of the area after a Peter Hawkins cross.

Stoke had chances to regain their two-goal advantage but Shipperley came very close to equalising at the other end, volleying just wide.

Mark Crossley made a brilliant save in the dying minutes from Alex Tapp, with the Potters holding on for the vital three points.

Teams

Stoke: Crossley, Thomas, Handyside, Shtaniuk, Marcus Hall, Gunnarsson, O'Connor, Warhurst (Clarke 56), Hoekstra (Williams 82), Cooke, Akinbiyi (Gudjonsson 69).

Subs Not Used: Banks, Iwelumo.

Booked: Crossley, O'Connor.

Goals: Gunnarsson 29, Akinbiyi 45.

Wimbledon: Davis, Holloway (Chorley 5), Leigertwood, Gier, Hawkins, Tapp, Reo-Coker, Nowland, Shipperley, Connolly, Agyemang (Gray 79).

Subs Not Used: Kamara, Lewington, Gore.

Booked: Nowland.

Goals: Shipperley 51.

Att: 12,587

Ref: R Pearson (Co Durham).