Two goals from Liam Craig gave Town a place in the Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup in a hard fought encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

Town played the better football throughout the game but it took a penalty in the first-half of extra-time from the skipper to settle the tie.

Craig put Blues ahead as early as the eighth minute, firing the ball past Stoke 'keeper Chris Sanna after Darryl Knights and Billy Clarke had linked up well.

Stoke's best moments came through the wing play of Matt Hazley, who showed great skill on 33 minutes to leave two Town players in his wake before being denied by smart work from Shane Supple.

Knights tested Sanna with a volley from the edge of the box before the break, then Clarke shot narrowly wide.

Stoke enjoyed their best spell of the game in the opening 15 minutes of the second-half with Mark Paterson going close with a header.

Town defended soundly though and had chances to wrap up the game, Clarke twice failing to convert when in on goal, Sanna also saving well from the Republic of Ireland youth international.

Clarke was also denied what looked a clear cut penalty when brought down in the box before Stoke grabbed a controversial last minute equaliser, Francino Francis scoring from close range after Aidan Collins looked to be fouled in the lead up to the goal.

There was still time for Craig to see a shot deflected over the bar before the game entered extra-time.

It was Town that had the final word though, Craig stepping up to score with ease from the penalty spot after a handball in the first-half of the extra period.