Former Stoke midfielder Graham Kavanagh picked out Peter Thorne - another former Stoke player - after four minutes, but Potters goalkeeper Neil Cutler easily saved.

The early warning was not heeded by Stoke's defence and Cardiff soon took the lead.

Earnshaw picked up the ball in midfield and played a simple one-two with Thorne before coolly slotting home from 12 yards.

Stoke might have levelled before the break but Marc Goodfellow's shot was saved by Neil Alexander and then Bjarni Gudjonsson shot wide when unmarked 10 yards out.

Fortune-West could have doubled Cardiff's advantage but he flicked a Mark Bonner header onto the post.

Stoke started the second half brightly and James O'Connor forced a superb one-handed save from Alexander after a mazy 20-yard run.

However, the game slipped further from their reach on the hour mark as the Bluebirds scored an all-important second goal.

Spencer Prior rose perfectly to meet a Kavanagh cross and although his header hit the post the rebound fell kindly to Fortune-West to nod home from close range.

Crowd trouble

The goal sparked ugly scenes amongst the Stoke crowd and referee Anthony Leake was forced to stop the game for five minutes as police took control of the situation.

When the game restarted both teams had chances - Goodfellow brought another sharp save out of Cardiff keeper Alexander and Earnshaw was put clean through for Cardiff but could not beat Cutler.

But Stoke substitute Burton gave the home side hope for the return leg in the 84th minute with a half-volley.

And he might have scored an equaliser but his close-range header was scrambled clear.

Stoke: Cutler, Thomas, Handyside, Shtaniuk, Clarke, Gudjonsson (Vandeurzen 82), O'Connor, Dinning, Goodfellow (Burton 78), Iwelumo (Dadason 85), Cooke. Subs Not Used: Viander, Brightwell.

Booked: Cooke, Gudjonsson, Clarke, Thomas.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Prior, Young, Boland, Kavanagh, Croft, Bonner, Earnshaw (Campbell 77), Fortune-West, Thorne (Collins 90). Subs Not Used: Bowen, Maxwell, Bywater.

Attendance: 21,245

Referee: A Leake (Darwen).