SAM Surridge bagged his second goal in as many games as Stoke eased to a 2-1 Carabao Cup home victory over Fleetwood.

Former Cherries striker Surridge pounced with a smart close-range strike on the stroke of half-time as the Championship side edged a scrappy affair against their League One visitors at the bet365 Stadium.

And Australia international defender Harry Souttar powered a 77th-minute header beyond keeper Alex Cairns to secure Stoke’s place in the second round of the competition.

James Chester deflected substitute Callum Morton’s cross into his own net in the fourth and final minute of injury-time, but the result was never in doubt for the Potters.

Cherries academy graduate Surridge ended his long affiliation with the Dorset club last week, agreeing a £5.5million move to Michael O’Neill’s men.

Speaking post-match, the Stoke boss said: "He's still getting up to speed and I think that shows a little bit more in his play outside the box.

“He’s a really good player outside the box as well and when he has more minutes under his belt you'll see that.

"What he has shown certainly at this minute is a great instinct in the box.

"Again, it was really good movement and a great finish off his right side. Two in two, a great start for him."