Downing whips the ball into the box only for it to just avade the waiting Alves. Could that be it for Southgate's men?

Four minutes of stoppage time will be played - can Middlesbrough grab a goal?

A scramble in the Stoke penalty area causes problems for the home defence, but the referee eventually gives them a free kick to end any danger.

At this moment in time, Middlesbrough don't look like getting themselves back into this game. They need a moment of magic from someone.

Middlesbrough push forward on the right hand side with O'Neil, but his eventual ball to Shawky is poor and the move breaks down.

That could prove to be a huge goal in Stoke's season. Now all they need to do is hold on.

Another neat passing move from the away side comes to an end when Taylor's drilled shot is saved by Sorensen.

Etherington moves into Middlesbrough's half at pace, but the winger can't beat Taylor who wins the ball for his side.

These teams have conceded 23 goals between them in the last ten minutes this season, so a late goal shouldn't be ruled out.

Wheater's looping header goes comfortably over the bar after the defender had got on the end of a Downing corner.

Good football from Middlesbrough creates a chance for Shawky, but his shot from distance is blocked by Shawcross.

A corner for Stoke is whipped in by Lawrence onto the head of Fuller who can't find the target with his effort.

Wheater heads away a long throw from Delap before McMahon completes the clearance by hooking the ball away.

First corner of the second half for Stoke is punched away by Jones, but only as far as Etherington who is tackled before he can get a cross in.

An excellent run from Lawrence almost ends in a goal for Stoke, but Beattie heads the eventual cross over the bar. He should have scored.

Lawrence's chipped ball into the box is headed into the arms of Jones by the rising Shawcross.

Ironic cheers from the home fans as Stoke win a free kick. They haven't been happy with the referee this afternoon.

Another counter attack for Middlesbrough seems promising until Tuncay places his shot wide of the post.

Downing finds some space on the left wing before whipping an early delivery into the box which falls to Shawky who fires a shot over the bar.

This game is extremely even and really could go either way. Stoke will be hoping that their loud home fans can cheer them to victory.

Stoke are on top now. This time, Delap pushes forward before dragging the ball wide of the post. He should have passed to Fuller instead.

Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye knocks the ball forward towards Fuller who fouls his man before he can create anything.

Yet another long throw from Delap is headed on by Fuller before Beattie volleys over the bar.

Excellent chance for Middlesbrough as Tuncay turns and shoots wide from close range after O'Neil's free kick. He should have hit the target from there.

Fuller gets the better of Mohamed Shawky as he pushes forward for Stoke, but his shot is weak and wide of the post.

Nothing comes from the corner though as Beattie heads away at the near post. Middlesbrough are causing Stoke problems right now.

Middlesbrough win their second successive corner as Tuncay's shot is deflected wide.

Middlesbrough break forward with pace before O'Neil's powerful shot is well saved by Sorensen. That's the best chance of this half.

Stoke appeal for a penalty as Fuller is brought down in the area, but the referee waves play on as Middlesbrough clear the danger.

Middlesbrough push forward with a brisk passing move, but O'Neil loses the ball just before he is able to fire a shot towards goal.

Long throw from Delap is launched into the penalty area only for it to go above everyone and out for a throw in on the other side. That throw was too big!

That is an attacking change from Tony Pulis. He knows how important three points would be for his team.

Whealen clips the ball in towards Fuller, but Wheater heads the ball away for Middlesbrough. Stoke have started the second half well though.

Stoke will know that one goal could be enough for the victory today as Middlesbrough have failed to score in six of their last eight league games.

Lawrence and Fuller combine well on the left hand side before the ball eventually falls to Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye who smashes the ball wide. Good football from the home side.

There will be two minutes added on in the first half - can either side grab a goal before the break?

Downing finds Tuncay with a well placed pass, but the striker's eventual cross is blocked by the sliding challenge of Danny Higginbotham.

Diao has been very poor so far for Stoke. This time he gives the ball away under no pressure at all from a Middlesbrough player.

Sorensen collects a Downing cross before a quick release sets Stoke away on the break. Lawrence gives the ball away at the crucial moment though.

O'Neil tries to create something with a direct ball foward, but Salif Diao is there for Stoke and he hooks the ball away.

Jones is involved again as he claims Delap's curling cross under pressure from Beattie.

Lawrence drills the ball forward into the path of Fuller, but Jones gets their first for Middlesbrough. Good idea from the Stoke midfielder.

Whelan is the next man to be booked for a foul on O'Neil. That seems very harsh as it was his first poor challenge.

Stoke will know that a goal for them could destroy Middlesbrough's confidence. Gareth Southgate's men have lost their last seven away games.

Free kick for Stoke is smashed towards goal by Lawrence only for a free kick to be given to Middlesbrough after Sorensen's save.

Stoke give the ball away in their own half and the ball falls to King who can only watch as his first time shot goes wide of the post.

Excellent passing move from Middlesbrough almost ends in a goal, but Tuncay's curling effort goes just over the bar. So close for the away side.

Glenn Whelan tries to slot the ball into the path of Lawrence, but Pogatetz is there to deal with it for Middlesbrough.

Lawrence swings in the resulting corner only for Jones to collect comfortably for the away side.

A long throw from Delap is dealt with well by Middlesbrough, but they are forced to concede a corner in the process.

Middlesbrough look to create something on the break with David Wheater pushing forward, but the defender's eventual pass is too heavy and goes through to Sorensen.

Pogatetz firmly heads the ball away after Wilkinson knocked a long pass forward. The game has gone rather quiet now.

Ryan Shawcross defends well for the home side to prevent Tuncay getting his shot away.

There have been a lot of set-pieces so far in this game. This time Lawrence chips the ball into the area for Stoke, but the attack ends when Beattie fouls his man on the six yard box.

Another free kick for Middlesbrough in a more dangerous position is headed away by Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye this time. No-one was attacking the ball for the visitors.

Free kick for the away side is whipped in by Stewart Downing only for Delap to get his head to the ball before anyone else and clear the danger.

It is quite easy to see why Middlesbrough are struggling on the road of late - they have failed to score away from home in 2009.

From the resulting free kick, Beattie smashes the ball high and wide of the goal. That was a bit of a waste.

Middlesbrough break forward once again through Marlon King, but Tuncay was in an offside position and the move breaks down.

As much as Middlesbrough look dangerous going forward, they seem very fragile at the back and Stoke will fancy their chances of getting a goal or two.

Middlesbrough are on top now as McMahon heads a fantastic cross from Andrew Taylor into the arms of Thomas Sorensen.

Middlesbrough go straight down the other end, but a neat move comes to an abrupt end when Sanli Tuncay fires comfortably wide from distance.

Another chance goes begging for Stoke as Lawrence's touch lets him down just as he was about to shoot from 15 yards. This game is very open.

O'Neil finds some space as he pushes forward for the visitors before firing a hopeful effort wide of the goal from 30 yards.

Corner for Stoke City is taken by Liam Lawrence, but Middlesbrough deal with it well and clear the danger.

That was the first long throw from Delap this afternoon and it caused no end of problems. Middlesbrough will be very concerned about this threat.

First chance of the game falls to James Beattie as he forces an excellent save from Bradley Jones after the striker had got on the end of a long Delap throw.

Danny Higginbotham and Ricardo Fuller exchange passes before the latter turns his man and wins a throw in for his team.

McMahon pushes on down the right hand side, but Gary O'Neil's touch is too heavy and the move breaks down.

An early goal would be very welcome for Stoke City today. However, they have only scored once inside the first ten minutes this season.

Marlon King breaks away for Middlesbrough after Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye gave the ball away, but the striker loses the ball to Andy Wilkinson due to a poor touch.

Rory Delap goes in heavily on Tony McMahon and gives away a free-kick. You get the feeling there will be plenty of tough challenges this afternoon.

This really is a huge game for both teams and the excellent atmosphere inside the ground reflects this.