Stoke end Millers run

Stoke boss Tony Pulis's top-flight understudies secured a place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Rotherham.

A goal in each half from Glenn Whelan and Danny Pugh - neither of whom have figured much in the Barclays Premier League - settled the issue in the fourth-round clash at the Britannia Stadium.

Whelan's strike was a clever 20-yard free-kick, while Pugh raced on to a Dave Kitson pass to grab the second.

Stoke created the first opening of the match with Whelan, who orchestrated much of what was good about City, driving just over the crossbar from 20 yards.

Soon after Whelan curled a free kick into the box, but Ryan Shawcross somehow managed to miss from two yards out.

The wastefulness continued when Kitson put Vincent Pericard clean through only for the Cameroon striker to volley wildly over.

But after 20 minutes Stoke were ahead. Alex Rhodes' high kick on Pugh resulted in a free kick that Whelan lifted over the wall and past Andy Warrington.

Stoke went in search of a quick goal to settle the match after the break and it almost arrived when Pericard saw a low drive flash inches wide of the far post.

Rotherham showed signs of life though and after 52 minutes only a flying save from Steve Simonsen stopped a fine hook from Reuben Reid as his effort curled towards the far post.

Stoke sent on Amdy Faye for Seyi Olofinjana after 58 minutes and a minute later the hosts were two goals ahead. Kitson's pass sent Pugh racing into the box and he made no mistake with the chance to guide his low shot past Warrington.