Richard Cresswell bundled Stoke agonisingly close to the Premier League with the goal which beat Colchester.

Cresswell deflected the ball home in first-half stoppage time as Tony Pulis' side grabbed the win that so nearly secured their return to the top flight after a 23-year exile.

The Potters kicked off knowing a victory - coupled with Hull failing to beat Crystal Palace - would be enough to send them up with a game remaining.

But a late winner from Hull meant the champagne will be kept on ice with the promotion race set to go to the final day of the season.

Stoke's performance was not pretty, and neither was the goal, Cresswell seemingly knowing little about it after Liam Lawrence's shot bounced in off his knee.

To the relegated Us' credit, they were determined not to stage a promotion party as they played their final match at Layer Road, their home for 70 years, ahead of a move to their new stadium next term.

The Colchester fans also got to bid farewell to Teddy Sheringham, who retires at the end of the season, who was given a second-half run-out - his first appearance since February.

Stoke dominated proceedings but the Colchester defence mostly coped with the predictable diet of long throws and high balls.

John White and Chris Coyne dealt with the physical presence of Leon Cort from some early corners and Adam Virgo made a vital interception as Ricardo Fuller looked to get on the end of a long clearance.

Phil Ifil cleared under pressure from Cresswell in front of goal before Us keeper Dean Gerken tipped Cort's downward header up and over the crossbar.

Fuller got his first real sight of goal on the 15-minute mark, but Gerken stood up well and blocked the 15-goal striker's angled drive.

The Jamaican burst through again two minutes later but, from the same position, drove high over the top.

Colchester, fresh from a 5-1 drubbing by Coventry in their penultimate home game, offered little attacking threat of their own.

Player of the year Johnnie Jackson flashed a header wide from Dean Hammond's corner, but Carlo Nash was not troubled in the visitors' goal.

And as half-time approached Rory Delap launched yet another long throw into the penalty area and Cresswell's point-blank header was saved by Gerken.

The ball fell to Lawrence, who fired the ball towards goal and in off Cresswell's knee to give the Potters the lead.

After the break Hammond curled a long-range effort narrowly wide for Colchester, while at the other end Mamady Sidibe was inches way from Cresswell's cross.

Hammond cracked a volley over the bar as full-time approached, before news came through of Hull's late winner.

Suddenly Colchester piled forward and Nash saved from Kevin Lisbie before Hammond shot narrowly over the top.

The 900 travelling fans were therefore denied the celebrations they had been planning for 89 minutes of the game, with the Potters now requiring a point from nerve-jangling final-day clash with Leicester.

Teams:

Colchester Gerken, Ifil, Coyne, Virgo (Balogh 43), White, Duguid (Platt 88), Jackson, Hammond, Elito, Lisbie,Vernon (Sheringham 62).

Subs Not Used: Cousins, Izzet.

Stoke Nash, Riggott, Shawcross, Cort, Dickinson, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Cresswell, Sidibe (Ameobi 79), Fuller.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Wilkinson, Pugh, Pearson.

Booked: Ameobi.

Goals: Cresswell 45.

Att: 6,300

Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).