DEBUTANT Sam Surridge’s last-gasp effort secured Stoke a thrilling 3-2 win over Reading in their opening game of the new Championship campaign.

The 23-year-old, signed from Cherries for £5.5million this week, came off the bench to fire the hosts to their first opening-day victory since 2009.

Michael O’Neill’s Potters were twice pegged back in an entertaining encounter at the Bet365 as Nick Powell and Jacob Brown’s efforts were cancelled out by John Swift and Liam Moore.

But Surridge secured a welcome three points as fans returned to the ground for the first time in 18 months.

Surridge said: “I wanted to get off to a good start. Today was a special day for myself and the goal just made it even better.

“As soon as it went to 2-2 I thought ‘yeah I’m going to get on and hopefully score’. I back myself every time I come on the pitch to do that.

“I got my opportunity and I took it.”