The Potters have adapted well to life in the Premier League, but Tony Pulis was also chasing league cup success and fielded a fairly strong side on Tuesday night.

Chances were few and far between in the first half at the Britannia Stadium, but the Potters thought Richard Cresswell had drilled home on 36 minutes to open the scoring, only to see the goal ruled out by referee Rob Styles for handball.

Paul Jewell's visitors kept home goalkeeper Steve Simonsen busy, especially after the break when Kris Commons rattled the crossbar with a header and spurned several other chances.

But Stoke - who saw Glenn Whelan twice go close - always posed a threat through Ricardo Fuller and Mamady Sidibe, who set up his strike partner for a glorious headed chance which the Jamaican fluffed and steered wide.

That proved costly as the Rams were awarded a stoppage-time spot-kick after Andy Griffin was adjudged to have handled a cross. Ellington kept his cool to stroke the ball home and book a semi-final spot for the East Midlanders.