Tom Cannon's stoppage-time goal ended Stoke's long wait for a win in the Sky Bet Championship as they secured a 1-0 victory over promotion-chasing Sunderland.
The Potters were managed by Ryan Shawcross after sacking Narcis Pelach on Friday, with the club widely celebrating what was Stoke's first win in ten games.
It moved them four points clear of the relegation zone and came after an excellent performance on goal from Viktor Johansson, who produced a series of fine saves to deny the visitors.
Stoke had the first big chance of the match in the 11th minute when Bae Junho played the ball through for Cannon, with Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson saving before Luke O'Nien cleared the danger.
Another good chance for Cannon followed when he did well to clear Chris Mepham, but a heavy touch allowed Patterson to beat the Leicester loanee to the ball.
Sunderland almost got the better of the hosts after 29 minutes when Milan Aleksic galloped towards the penalty area before his shot was kept out by Johansson.
The visitors became increasingly dangerous and Johansson was soon called into action again when he had to wave away Adil Aouchiche's powerful effort from outside the box.
The Sweden international, who captains the Potters, then came to their rescue again in the 34th minute when he tipped Wilson Isidor's shot onto the post.
Sunderland now piled on the pressure and were again denied by Johansson when a Dan Neil piledriver was brilliantly tipped away.
His heroics kept the match goalless at half-time and it was his opponent's turn to impress again in the 62nd minute when Patterson stood strong in deflecting away a shot from Lewis Koumas, who went on to knock down Cannon.
Back came Sunderland, who almost took the lead when Aouchiche's low cross was deflected onto the outside of his own post by Stoke centre-back Ashley Phillips.
Eliezer Mayenda should then have put the Black Cats ahead in the 73rd minute when Aouchiche's cross found him unmarked six yards out, but the Spaniard headed well wide.
Johansson was not as busy as in the first half, but he was forced to make another important save when he kept out Aouchiche's shot at his near post with seven minutes to go.
Just when it looked like the two teams would settle for a point each, Cannon won it for Stoke as he fought for possession before firing into the bottom corner from just outside the area.
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Stoke's agent Ryan Shawcross:
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Regis Le Bris from Sunderland:
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