Bristol Rovers 1-2 Stoke

Last updated : 16 August 2010 By Dan Buxton

The Potters picked up another win, but lost another key man to injury, as pre-season plans neared a climax.

City rested Ryan Shawcross and Mama Sidibe for the game at Memorial Ground and were also without key men Etherington, Delap and Whelan but managed to win thanks to goals from Tuncay and Fuller late in the first half.

Tonge was first to cause panic in the home defence as he was denied three times by brave defending inside the box.

Citys front two combined to test the hosts keeper when Fuller flicked on a cross for Turkish international Tuncay to meet at the back post. He couldn't get the required direction on his header though and it went straight at Anderson in the Rovers goal.

Turkey captain Tuncay made amends shortly after when he collected a through ball from Whitehead, swayed past two defender before firing the ball at goal. The keeper was up to the initial effort but his parry was pounced on by Tuncay who rolled it into the bottom corner of the net.

The scores were level on 45 minutes when a Rovers corner was floated in from the right, Potters keeper Thomas Sorensen coming to claim it but misjudging the flight and leaving Dominic Blizzard with the simple task of heading into the empty net.

That appeared to be half time but from the kick off a quick interchange from Tuncay and Fuller saw the latter waltz through the defence, round the keeper and calmly slot into the inguarded net to give the visitors the lead once more.

Faye was soon heading for the treatment table as the familiar sight of him hobbling off with an injury returned before mass substitutions affected the games flow.

Youngster Ben Marshall, enjoying a rare day with the 'first team' impressed straight away, putting in a dangerous cross that allowed Soares to tee up Tuncay, the striker back heeling a cheeky effort goalwards, only for a defender on the line to deny him a second.

There was still time for Tuncay to send another effort narrowly wide of the far post whilst sub Beattie headed wide from close range after being picked out by a cross from the aforementioned Tuncay.