BILLY DAVIES refused to be downbeat after watching midfield magician Paul McKenna miss an 88th minute penalty which would have ensured victory at the Britannia Stadium.

"We certainly don't blame Paul," said Davies. "These things happen, they certainly happen to world class players.

"It's not so easy to put away a penalty as a lot of people might think and that has been proved today.

"It is still a very good point for us on the road.

"We're on a fantastic run but to come away from and say that we're disappointed with a point at Stoke shows how far we have come.

"I think anything away from home is always an added extra."

The reason McKenna took the spot kick was because regular penalty taker Graham Alexander who injured his hamstring.

The Scot will now be out for up to six weeks, and the injury once again forced Davies to shuffle his pack ahead of the game.

The late penalty was triggered by Carl Hoefkens' toppling of Tyrone Mears in the area as he broke forward.

Stoke keeper Steve Simonsen fell to his right to save the kick.

For much of the second half, Stoke had played with just 10 men after Darel Russell was dismissed for violent conduct in the 55th minute.

His challenge on Brian O'Neil saw the ref go straight for a red card.