Aden Flint scored an own goal as Bristol Rovers completed their pre-season campaign in fine fashion, beating the Championship side 2-0 at the Mem on Tuesday.
Substitute Harvey Saunders continued his summer scoring streak as the Gas proved too hot to handle for Michael O'Neill's side in the second half. It was the final game of Rovers' pre-season schedule with the League One opener against Forest Green Rovers fast approaching.
And Joey Barton will be buoyed by Rovers' efforts at the Mem on Tuesday, hitting their stride with a deserved victory against second-tier opposition.
Firm challenges were exchanged in the opening moments before Stoke had the first opportunity of the evening in the ninth minute. Trevor Clarke raised the roof with a crunching tackle on Tom Sparrow, but the full-back did well to regain possession and cut the ball back to Gavin Kilkenny who was waiting in space on the edge of the box, but the midfielder pulled his shot wide of the target.
D'Margio Wright-Phillips was threatening down Rovers' left side and he delivered an excellent cross into the middle on 18 minutes but none of his teammates anticipated and Rovers were relieved.
The hosts grew as an attacking threat and had a penalty shout turned down five minutes later after a seemingly innocuous Antony Evans' cross caused panic in the six-yard area. Rovers were sure Morgan Fox's arm had been used, but referee Simon Hooper disagreed.
Rovers' ability to steal possession in dangerous areas was hugely profitable last season and it almost reaped rewards on the half hour when Evans nicked the ball off former England international Phil Jagielka. Collins received it and strafed infield in trademark fashion, but his left-footed strike from 20 yards flew over the top.
The threat Stoke's pacy attack lingered and a quick break in the 37th minute left the Gas exposed. Goalkeeper Joe Bursik skimmed a long pass for Tyrese Campbell to chase and the striker did so gladly. He reached the box and lined up a shot but James Belshaw was equal to it, palming it away at the near post.
If the first half was evenly fought, the second saw the Gas emerge as the stronger force. They should have had the lead in the 56th minute when the hard-working John Marquis pounces on a loose touch from Bursik before being tripped by the England under-21 international. But the keeper would redeem himself by palming away Collins' effort from 12 yards.
The sense of disappointment was brief, with the opening goal following two minutes later, and it was a product of the best move of the night Evans, as he so often does, peeled out wide and exchanged neat passes with Harry Anderson, allowing Gibbons to steam in with a run that bisected the defence and his delivery into the six-yard area caused ex-Bristol City defender Flint all sorts of problems. He made a mess of it and turned the ball into his own net.
Stoke had relatively little to offer in reply and the Gas pulled two clear 12 minutes from time. Brilliant work from Anderson again was the key that unlocked the defence. He stole possession from a Potters corner and evaded a challenge before charging forward on the counter. His through ball found Saunders in stride and the 24-year-old netted his fourth goal of pre-season with a neat finish beneath the onrushing Bursik.
Academy prospect Jerry Lawrence almost added a third in the closing stages, with the substitute clearing the crossbar by just an inch or two from long range, but Barton will doubtless settle for a performance of such control against superior opponents.
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