GARY’S INCE PERFECT
Assombalonga after the break to help fellow forward Jordan Hugill and they combined to level on 62 minutes.
Hugill played the ball to the £15million man, who curled home a brilliant, top-corner shot from 20 yards – their first goal outside of the box at home this season.
Boro’s problem scoring.
They are set up solidly with the tightest back line in the Championship.
At home, they lack the pace needed to break teams down after selling is home a no-nonsense second after 60 minutes, it was effectively all over for an Ipswich outfit that has chalked up only one win all season.
This was former Stoke boss Paul Lambert’s first return since taking over at the bottom club.
Lambert (right) said it was “an emotional return to a great club“but he added: “I honestly thought Adama Traore in the summer. Pulis (below) is hoping to cling on to the automatic promotion race into January and revamp his squad with speed.
He added: “Britt scored a good goal, but had two other chances.
“For one, the lady linesman put her flag up. He was a yard onside. He missed it, but he was a yard on.
“The last chance, we were the better team. I’m really proud of them. It was a great performance against a side that will be there or thereabouts.
“I could not ask for more — so many youngsters who did so well.”
Stoke manager Gary Rowett said: “It was a good result, and the two goals were real quality.
“There was not enough zip. We looked a bit leggy. without being too critical, he has to score those. We need a bit more quality up front. We had 10 men but it was their players who were going down with cramp. “I can’t fault my lads. They ran their socks off.” Rovers could have scored three before Boro’s leveller, with Danny Graham denied by a good save from Randolph and Dack We have to be better, but we’re back on track.” Ince caused the Tractor Boys problems from the start. A low effort was blocked before he ballooned over but he made his third effort count in first-half added time. A beautifully threaded pass from Ryan Woods set him up, with Ince keeping his composure to slide the ball past Dean hitting a post. But when Hugill went clear on the hour, it needed a goalsaving tackle by Mulgrew to deny the hosts.
Five minutes from time Assombalonga should have scored when through, but Paul Downing hooked clear.
Mowbray said: “There is frustration in the dressing room.
“We should not have dropped points.
“We needed a second goal. Boro are so solid, even with 10 men.
“We hit a post and got into good areas.” Gerken. And then on the hour Allen’s goal was simplicity itself as Erik Pieters set him up with a perfect pass.
It was tough on Town who had forced Potters keeper Jack Butland into a goal-saving block when he diverted a low effort from 18-year-old Jack Lankester against a post.
Jordan Roberts had an effort touched round for a corner and Flynn Downes was also denied – but it was Stoke’s day.