Division Two Play-off Final: Twist to tale after Stoke end hoodoo

Stoke (2) 2 Brentford (0) 0

STOKE CITY came back to Cardiff to complete their play-off fairytale and end the jinx of the south dressing room. A pair of first-half goals, less than graceful in execution but beyond price for a club who believe their proper place is at least the game's second tier, ensured that Stoke would reclaim the First Division status they forfeited in 1998.

But no sooner was that return achieved than manager Gudjon Thordarson was expressing his willingness to walk away as he grows increasingly impatient with the lack of a contract offer to replace the one that expires next month.

What he said amounted to a direct challenge to the club's owners, Icelanders just like him and driven by the same challenge of establishing a club and their legion of fans back on the right road.

"They can't sit in Iceland and wait to make decisions," said Thordarson, who indicated that he has offers in England and elsewhere of alternative employment. "We have players here on short contracts who need decisions and I need a decision as well. They asked for results and I have delivered. Now they have to deliver a proper contract."

In both the previous two seasons, Thordarson's team had succumbed at the semi-final stage to the eventual play-off winners. More disappointment beckoned 11 days ago in the Welsh capital as Stoke trailed Cardiff City until a 90th-minute goal took them into extra-time and ultimate victory.

When they were given the keys to the jinxed dressing room, they must have wondered what the day would have in store. On all 11 occasions the stadium had hosted a major domestic final, the south room had contained only tears for the losers.

Now the hoodoo can be laid to rest. The first-half advantage secured by Deon Burton and a Ben Burgess own goal made sure of that.

In an opening 45 minutes of precious few chances Stoke seized on theirs, starting in the 16th minute when Arnar Gunnlaugsson's corner was helped on by Chris Iwelumo for Burton to rifle home, though it diverted off Stephen Hunt.

Then Bjarni Gudjonsson, the manager's son, curled in a free kick, which took one deflection before crashing off Burgess's shins.

"Defending set-pieces has been part of our success this season and to lose two goals that way knocked us out of our stride," Steve Coppell, the Brentford manager, said.

The west London club only missed automatic promotion through Reading's late equaliser on the last day of the regular season. Defeat leaves doubt over the future of Coppell and his best players with chairman Ron Noades reluctant to invest further funds.

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