Malone’s moment of magic seals stunning recovery by Potters as they book tie with high-flying Toffees

DAN Malone didn’t mean it, but it didn’t matter as his 40-yard free-kick sealed a breathtaking four-minute comeback to keep Stoke City in the FA Youth Cup.

It was a tight contest when Stoke under-18s went to Sheffield Wednesday, but whereas the Potters hit the post three times with one shot, the hosts had taken their chances and gone 2-0 ahead.

It was almost 3-0 and game over when Conor Grant clipped the bar in the 79th minute, but that was just the start of the drama.

Abdoulaye Toure immediately made it 2-1 when he kept his composure to finish off a swift counter-attack in the 80th minute and an Isaac Rice own goal in a scramble got it to 2-2 within 60 seconds.

Then in the 84th minute, substitute Malone took a free-kick wide on the right and sailed it over everyone inside the far post, cueing wild celebrations.

Stoke coach Rich Walker said: “Dan knows that we all know he didn’t mean it! But he has been superb when he’s had his chance in the side and he’s probably a bit disappointed not to have started.

“He works his socks off, he’s honest, he’s diligent and he deserves that little bit of luck. He came on because he never shies away from getting on the ball, we needed players to be brave and Dan did that.”

The win sets up a home tie in the fourth round against Premier League 2 Division One high fliers Everton.

It will be a stern test for Stoke, who had also come from 2-0 down to beat Southampton on their way to reaching the Premier League Cup quarter-finals. Enough excitement for one year? Not yet.

Walker said: “If we find ourselves 2-0 down I’ll certainly want another one!

“We talk about controlling games and this was a bit airy fairy at times, we certainly want more control of the game. But we want to get through to the next round and if that means having to claw it back from 2-0 down at the death then so be it.”

He added: “Everton will be very tough opposition.

“They’re riding very high in the league and scoring a lot of goals but I guarantee there’ll be no side in the tournament that will want to play us, not just because of the quality we’ve got but also the resilience, desire, commitment that the lads keep displaying.”

Gary Rowett was watching from the stands and sent a well done message to the players – but Walker admits he didn’t get to see their full potential.

He said: “Without being too fussy or picky they know the standards they’ve set.

“This match was about getting those first night nerves of this competition out of the way and ready to kick on.” PETER SMITH