Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s second-half header earned Stoke a 2-1 SkyBet Championship win against Oxford United to end their seven-match winless league run.
The Ghanaian youngster who is on loan from Crystal Palace, converted Sorba Thomas’ cross after 57 minutes to add to Lamine Cisse’s maiden league goal for the Potters – at the 24th attempt.
Ciaron Brown’s volley cancelled out Cisse’s opener and Spurs loanee Will Lankshear hit the woodwork for Matt Bloomfield’s side with the score at 1-1.
Stoke celebrated their reprieve and Rak-Sakyi’s angled header gave them a first home Championship success since December 13 and completed the league double over relegation-threatened Oxford.
In an entertaining game between two out of form sides, Stoke should gone ahead after 12 minutes.
Goalkeeper Tommy Simkin’s 60-yard kick upfield picked out Million Manhoef and, while the Dutch star was closed down, he squared a pass to Rak-Sakyi.
The former Charlton and Sheffield United forward opted not to shoot first time and Jamie Cumming saved well when he eventually did.
Top scorer Thomas got his angles wrong with a curling effort but the home side looked most likely to make a breakthrough.
Oxford though offered a threat on the counter attack and Stanley Mills fired wide after a powerful run.
Manhoef curled a left-footed effort goalwards but, with Cumming stranded, the ball drifted narrowly wide.
Cisse was the next to test Cumming from 20 yards and, nine minutes from half-time, Stoke deservedly went in front with a speedy, long-distance raid.
Defending an Oxford long throw on the edge of their own box, Tomas Rigo and Manhoef combined to give Cisse a clear run on goal.
This time Stoke made no mistake with the Frenchman beating Cumming from 18 yards.
The lead, however, lasted just eight minutes. A corner routine ended with Mills heading a Will Vaulks pass onto Brown’s left boot for a peach of an equaliser.
Stoke claimed for offside but replays suggested the full-back was marginally onside.
After ending a 481-minute goal drought stretching back to February 3, Oxford nearly grabbed a second.
Instead, the crossbar prevented Lankshear nudging the U’s in front after half-time from Cameron Brannagan’s free kick.
It proved pivotal as Stoke returned upfield and Rak-Sakyi stooped to head in Thomas’ floated cross to the far post.
Vaulks’ headed goalline clearance prevented Cisse extending City’s lead with 19 minutes remaining.
But Stoke saw the game out to move up to 13th while Oxford stay second bottom, six points from safety.
