Yannick Gerhardt scored a late winner as FC Koln edged to a 2-1 victory over Stoke City this afternoon.
The hosts made a strong start to the match and they came within inches of taking an early lead when Leonardo Bittencourt's effort beat Jack Butland and came crashing off the post.
Koln continued to threaten and Pawel Olkowski turned an effort just wide, before Jonas Hector's deflected attempt struck the woodwork.
Ibrahim Afellay then saw his attempt from range beaten away by the keeper and moments later Steve Sidwell turned a strike over the bar.
However, in the final minute of the first half Koln took the lead when Anthony Modeste broke clear of the Stoke defence to latch on to Marcel Risse's cross, before turning a low effort past Butland from close range.
The visitors continued to dominate after the break and Milos Jojic came close to a second with an effort that crashed into the side-netting.
As the game wore on, Stoke began to create more chances on goal and with 11 minutes left to play Peter Odemwingie rose at the back post to head in Marco van Ginkel's free kick to level the scores.
With the game edging towards a draw, Koln grabbed a second in the 89th minute, as Gerhardt evaded a challenge from Glen Johnson, before driving a strike under Butland to seal the victory.
Alex Meyers
