Stoke City are on course to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup after taking a 1-0 lead into the break of their tie against Rochdale this evening.

The game was only four minutes old when Bojan Krkic latched on to a headed clearance before firing a volley past Josh Lillis to give Stoke the lead.

On the half-hour mark the goalscorer appeared to pick up a knee injury and was brought off as a precaution.

Rochdale began to grow into the game and Rhys Bennett scuffed an effort wide, before Jack Butland rushed off his line to block at the feet of Stephen Dawson.

The League One side had another great opportunity to score before the end of the half when Matt Done was played through by Callum Camps, but he could only direct his effort wide of the post.

Written by
Alex Meyers