Stoke 2 Wimbledon 1

Last updated : 16 August 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Battling Stoke grabbed a late winner to keep their 100 percent league record and set the early pace in Division One.

Their winner from Wayne Thomas came three minutes into time added on at the end of the game, after Wimbledon looked to have snatched a point.

Stoke, who were composed and hardworking throughout, went in front from the penalty spot after Darel Russell was brought down in the area by a clumsy double challenge by Alex Tapp and Nigel Reo-Coker.

Carl Asaba fired the spot-kick into the top corner of the net sending former Stoke keeper Steve Banks the wrong way.

Just minutes later Reo-Coker had the chance to make amends and level the scores of blasted high over the bar from close range.

Then in the 34th minute Gifton Noel-Williams who had hit the post in the fifth minute raced on to a free ball only to see Banks save bravely at his feet.

Stoke were stunned when the visitors pulled level ten minutes into the second half. Reo-Coker split the Stoke defence with a superb through ball for Patrick Agyemang who fired past the oncoming keeper Neil Cutler.

Minutes later Reo-Coker almost hit a second for Wimbledon but Cutler produced a super save to deny him.

Stoke piled on the pressure and in the dying minutes Banks produced a magnificent save to deny substitute Kris Commons.

But Stoke were not finished and defender Thomas grabbed the winner in time added on after Noel-Williams had knocked the ball on in the penalty area.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said that: "It was a good open game. Wimbledon have a lot of young players and are a very vibrant side. They created three great opportunities but we were a threat for 90 minutes.

"No one is going to get carried away and as yet we are still 44 points away from safety. We have a very young group of players they have done well so far and I am delighted for them." Wimbledon boss Stuart Murdoch said: "The late save by Steve Banks was magnificent and I thought that he had saved us a point.

"The players are absolutely gutted after being beaten by a such a late goal, I thought they deserved a point.

"The team showed a lot of character and after a bad result in midweek they did well to come here and put on such a performance."