Potters held by resilient Gulls

Stoke continued their preparations for the forthcoming Premier League season with a 1-1 draw at Torquay on Monday night.

The Potters took the lead in their first pre-season warm-up in this country two minutes before the break, when Gulls centre-half Aaron Downes turned a Matthew Etherington shot into his own goal.

Peter Crouch and Ryan Shotton went close for Stoke, before Cameron Jerome saw a second half header ruled out for offside.

However, the League Two side finished strongly and were rewarded 12 minutes from time when Billy Bodin beat substitute goalkeeper Carlo Nash with a powerful strike.

Poland international Sebastian Boenisch, available on a free transfer after leaving Werder Bremen, played 67 minutes at left-back for Tony Pulis' side - who play Yeovil on Tuesday evening.