Stoke City took on Derby County at Pride Park in their fifth pre-season game of the summer, but it was the home side that took an early lead when Chris Porter neatly headed past Asmir Begavoic after just six minutes.

Ricardo Fuller almost scored an immediate equaliser, but his close range header was blocked by fellow Stoke forward Mamady Sidibe and minutes later Dean Whitehead went agonisingly close with a headed attempt from a Rory Delap throw-in.

Stoke had their best chance of the game in the opening moments of the second half, Abdoulaye Faye's close range header from a Matthew Etherington cross was blocked on the goal line by a Derby defender.

Substitute goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen made a neat save from Kris Commons on the hour mark in front of the 10,386 in attendance, and with just five minutes remaining, Tuncay Sanli saw his superb effort brilliantly saved by Derby goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

Late pressure failed to produce an equaliser for the visiting side as Stoke’s three game unbeaten pre-season streak ended.

Stoke City: Begovic (Sorensen); Huth (Wilkinson), Shawcross (Higginbotham), Faye, Collins; Delap, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington (Lawrence); Sidibe, Fuller (Tuncay).

Good start for Derby, they will be aiming for the play offs this season.

Should have been last season but suppose Newcastle are better so that helps