Nantwich Town continued their pre-season preparation with a decent performance against a strong Stoke City under 21s side.
The Dabbers acquitted themselves well in the 2-1 defeat at the Weaver Stadium.
Potters boss Tony Pulis sent a youthful side to face Jimmy Quinn’s men who pushed Port Vale all the way in their last outing on Friday.
Only a penalty from Vale triallist Tadhg Purcell with the very last kick of the match saw Micky Adam’s side edge victory.
And Nantwich again demonstrated their strength in depth by largely matching a youthful Stoke City team which will feature in the new under 21 Premier League in 2012-13.
Triple hat-trick hero Kyle Wilson, who missed the Vale game with a hamstring injury, returned but only lasted 21 minutes.
Nantwich contained Stoke well and created a few chances of their own.
However, the visitors took the lead with 15 minutes to go when their on-trial forward hit a shot which squirmed under the body of Jon Brain in the Nantwich goal.
It was harsh on the Dabbers who then showed spirit by getting back into the game.
Just four minutes later, winger Sean Cooke combined well with Mark Beesley before firing a shot past City’s Austrian keeper Bachmann from 18 yards out.
The Dabbers had chances to win the game, with Caspar Hughes going closest.
But it was Stoke who snatched the spoils in the last minute. Their substitute Karim Rossi pounced on the rebound after Brain could only parry a long-range drive by Dawson.
(All pictures courtesy of Simon J Newbury Photography)
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