The Potters sealed their Premier League status for another year after easily beating Hull at the Britannia Stadium.
An early strike from Ricardo Fuller looked to be enough but an injury time strike from Liam Lawrence completed the win and guaranteed the points.
The Potters made one change to the starting line up, Ricardo Fuller coming in for Mama Sidibe, and that change immediately paid off as David Kitson flicked on Huth's clearance towards Fuller. Hull defender McShane came across but misjudged the ball and Fuller nipped around the defender before bearing down on goal. The Jamaican steadied himself before rolling the ball past Myhill. He immediately required treatment though after taking a kick to the calf from McShane as he knocked the ball home.
Although the hitman would never fully recover he did manage to carry on until half time and was a big threat when in possession despite being hindered and not being able to unleash his lightning speed.
The first half continued to go the way of Stoke after the goal with the visitors showing little, if any, passion and drive to help get themselves out of the relegation zone. Although the hosts never really stepped out of second gear they still were in control with Kitson heading over three times aswell and going close when Huth volleyed over after a corner was half cleared whilst Fuller was blocked out after seemingly getting himself half a yard inside the area whilst the closest Hull came during the first period was a long distance effort from Bullard that was comfortably held by Sorensen.
The second half saw more spirit from Hull as a half time rollicking from manager Iain Dowie seemed to stir them but the Potters still looked comfortable and enever in danger without having to really get going. The defence had a lot to deal with aerially and won every header, convincingly, denying the Humberside club any chance of getting near the goal with Sorensen still untested whilst Higginbotham and Kitson were both close with headers from right wing crosses.
Potters hearts were in mouthsfor the first time just after the hour mark as a scramble in the box saw the lead just stay intact, but only after brave blocks from Higginbotham and Whelan. That failure to score seemed to demoralise the visitors and whilst City allowed them possession around half way they managed to concede the ball every time they tried to break through the Potters rearguard and a breakaway nearly saw a second goal on 74 minutes. Tuncay, on for Fuller, sprinted forward and, with three with him, knocked the ball wide to Etherington. The in form winger sent in a dangerous ball that was headed up by the defence. As it dropped Tuncay saw an opening for a spectacular winner and attempted an overhead kick. He would have connected sweetly with the shot but a brave dive by George Boateng knocked the ball away, whilst Tuncay boot landed on the Tigers mans cheek, kncking him out!
After minutes of treatment he was taken away in an ambulance with a suspected fractured cheekbone but, with all three subs already made, couldn't be replaced and the Tigers would play out the game with 10 men.
Tuncay was affected by the incident at the time and it may have still been on his mind a couple of minutes after the restart when a miskicked clearance fell to his feet. 30 yards out but with an open goal he should have just rolled it in but lashed at the ball and the effort flew well wide to deny the Turkish star his 8th goal of the season.
The game was secured though as the clock ticked into injury time as a neat move saw Sidibe flick on to Tuncay. The Turkish captain flicked the ball into Etherington who picked out Lawrence on the far side of the box. Lawrence, whose last Potters goal was away at Hull last May, sidefooted the ball across the keeper and inside the far post before a celebration showing just how much that meant after a frustarting season.