It's a tale of two halves for Potters in Boro stalemate...

MARK Robins says Stoke City were more organised after halftime changes to end up being disappointed not to win away at table toppers Middlesbrough.

- Peter Smith

Stoke had been on the back foot in the first 45 minutes at the Riverside and were grateful to go in at the break at 0-0, particularly after Tommy Conway thought he should have been awarded a penalty when he claimed a foul from Ben Pearson. Instead, Conway was booked for diving.

But they were a different beast after the break, when Robins introduced Tomas Rigo and Million Manhoef. Robert Bozenik and Rigo missed excellent chances to grab a winner while striker Divin Mubama also threatened when he came off the bench.

Robins had made five changes to his starting lineup and admitted that probably affected the team’s rhythm but he is sure that the evening will serve the squad well in the long run.