BATTLING POTTERS PUNISHED BY PEDRO

STEVEN Schumacher was impressed with the spirit of his Stoke side despite seeing them go out of the Cup.

- Andy Hunter

Joao Pedro scored twice late on as Brighton avoided an embarrassing exit at Stoke.

The hosts – who had not beaten top-flight opposition in the competition since they reached the final in 2011 – had held the lead for 35 first-half minutes courtesy of Jan Paul Van Hecke’s own goal, after which Schumacher’s team were the better side.

However, Brighton’s Ecuador left-back Pervis Estupinan let fly from 20 yards in the final minute of six added on before the interval, and captain Lewis Dunk headed last season’s semi-finalists ahead just after the break.

Dunk’s raised arm conceded the penalty from which Lewis Baker equalised and it needed Pedro’s 14th and 15th goals of the season to see the Premier League team through in the final 19 minutes.