Ipswich suffered a promotion setback as goals from Peter Hoekstra and Ade Akinbiyi earned Stoke victory at the Britannia Stadium.

Dutchman Hoekstra converted a 37th-minute penalty to put City in front and Akinbiyi kept his cool to seal the points in the second half.

But Stoke needed the goalkeeping heroics of Ed de Goey, who made a string of outstanding saves to keep Town at bay.

Stoke nearly handed Ipswich an early lead when defender John Halls' backpass fell short, but de Goey gathered the ball off the toes of Darren Bent.

Ipswich almost broke the deadlock after 14 minutes with a breakaway move as Ian Westlake fired in a shot from 15 yards but de Goey made a smart save with his legs.

But better chances soon came the way of Ipswich as former Chelsea goalkeeper de Goey kept out a shot from Bent.

Moments later Shefki Kuqi, restored to the Ipswich side after suspension, decided to shoot when Bent was in a better position, but his effort was tipped round the post by the City keeper.

However, a defensive blunder from centre-back Georges Santos allowed Stoke to take the lead against the run of play.

Santos' backpass fell too short for goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, whose attempted clearance struck Gifton Noel-Williams.

The loose ball ran into the path of Sebastian Svard, who shaped up to shoot but was brought down by Santos. Referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot and Hoekstra sent Davis the wrong way.

Ipswich manager Joe Royle made a change at half-time, bringing on Richard Naylor for the ineffectual Kuqi.

Royle was forced to bring off impressive centre-back John McGreal, who limped off to be replaced by Drissa Diallo on the hour.

Ipswich continued to press for an equaliser, but it was Stoke who stole the points in the 68th minute when Akinbiyi beat the offside trap, rounded Davis and slotted the ball into an empty net.

Royle took his final throw of the dice with the introduction of striker Pablo Counago for midfielder Jim Magilton.

De Goey pulled off a great save to deny Westlake after he cut inside Halls minutes later, while Jermaine Wright also tested the goalkeeper from 20 yards.

As the game reached its climax Bent sent in a great cross for Counago in the area, but the Spaniard's touch let him down and the Stoke defence cleared the danger.

Fabian Wilnis then crossed to the far post, but Westlake managed to balloon the ball over the crossbar from five yards.

Ipswich's night was summed up when Counago shot wide from a fine position, although Akinbiyi missed an even easier chance near the end.

Westlake nearly had the final word when he latched on to Gerry Taggart's headed clearance to the edge of the area, but de Goey pulled off another breathtaking save.

Teams:

Stoke de Goey, Thomas, Halls, Taggart, Marcus Hall, Svard (Wilson 87), Clarke, Russell, Hoekstra (Williams 90), Noel-Williams (Asaba 90), Akinbiyi.

Subs Not Used: Cutler, Commons.

Goals: Hoekstra 37 pen, Akinbiyi 68.

Ipswich Davis, Wilnis, McGreal (Diallo 61), Santos, Richards, Miller, Magilton (Counago 71), Wright, Westlake, Bent, Kuqi (Naylor 45).

Subs Not Used: Mitchell, Price.

Att: 11,435

Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).