Crawley fielded the same side that shocked Premier League Norwich in the previous round and Nathan Ferguson and Reece Grego-Cox were both off target from the edge of the area in the opening ten minutes.

Stoke threatened when a strong run by Tommy Smith stretched the Crawley defence, but the onrushing Scott Hogan put the ball over in an offside position.

The Potters broke the deadlock on 23 minutes when, following a corner by Ryan Woods, Liam Lindsay had a shot blocked and Sam Vokes tucked in the rebound for his third goal of the season.

Grego-Cox twice went close for the Reds before the hosts levelled on 37 minutes through Ferguson, who fired home following a low cross by David Sesay.

Crawley had a penalty appeal waved away shortly after the break when Ollie Palmer went down under a challenge from Danny Batth.

The Potters were reduced to ten men just after the hour mark when defender Nathan Collins received a straight red card for a late tackle on Panutche Camara.

Bez Lubala had a shot saved by Adam Federici before Reds striker Palmer drove a fierce shot inches over.