Stoke City 2 York City 1

STOKE manager Tony Pulis believes the magic of the FA Cup is alive and well after watching his side come from behind to beat non-league York at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Despite the visiting team arriving at the ground half an hour before the delayed 3.30 kick-off due to bad weather, a giant-killing was briefly on the cards in the first half when York took the lead through Neil Barrett’s header.

Stoke turned things around within minutes as Danny Parslow deflected the ball past his own keeper and Ricardo Fuller headed home 60 seconds later, with Rory Delap’s trademark longthrow providing an assist on both occasions.

Matthew Etherington’s second- half free-kick then ensured the Potters made it into the hat for round four.

But York were roared on throughout by more than 4,000 supporters, who braved the conditions to come out and see their team take on the might of a Barclays Premier League side.

The FA Cup has been muchmaligned in recent years but Pulis was keen to praise York and their fans for their attitude to the competition.

‘‘I think the York players are a credit to their club, and the supporters.

“To bring nearly 5,000 here is absolutely fantastic,’’ Pulis said. ‘‘It’s a real tribute to the FA Cup I think.

“We in the Premier League sometimes undervalue it because of the money associated with the League.

“But we are a very special country in respect of having so many football clubs, both professional and part-time.

‘‘It has shown again with a small club like York, and I’m not saying that disrespectfully.

‘‘The glamour of the cup has brought so many people to watch them play at Stoke City Football Club, which is fantastic.’’ York boss Martin Foyle – a former player and manager at Stoke’s local rivals Port Vale – was delighted to see so many fans turn out for the match and was confident his players would take plenty from the experience as they continue in their quest to gain promotion from the Blue Square Premier.

‘‘I know there are a lot from Port Vale that have come over as well, which is great,’’ Foyle said.

‘‘I’ve been in this area a long time and it is a nice area to be in. I’d just like to say from myself that 4,000 fans was absolutely fantastic and hopefully we can keep hold of them.

‘‘I looked at the players afterwards and I said if we can’t take that into Tuesday night (against Altrincham) there has got to be something wrong, ‘‘The confidence and the buoyancy in the changing room is terrific.

“They have lost a game of football and yes, we’re disappointed as coaches and managers, but we haven’t got to lift the place for Tuesday night, let’s put it that way.’’ Pulis admitted that he had been worried when Barrett put York a goal ahead and felt that the Minstermen could have pushed on for the upset.

‘‘Obviously when they scored the goal I was concerned.

They turned up late and our preparation wasn’t brilliant,’’ Pulis said.

‘‘With conditions and everything else it was difficult, but I think if I was Martin, I’d be disappointed they weren’t able to hold on to that lead for a bit and put a bit more pressure on us.

“But the response was very good.’’