On a bitterly cold winters evening, Stoke City's youngsters got a taste of what it is like to play at the Britannia Stadium and left with that great winning feeling, as they edged out Wigan Athletic 4-3 on penalties, after the game ended 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes in the F.A Youth Cup third round.

The Premiership outfit stunned the Potter's deep into injury time through Joe Holt, however he would eventually turn from hero to zero, as he sent the tie into extra time. Holt's eventful evening then took a turn for the worse, as he missed the vital spot-kick. City substitute Adam Vickers then kept his nerve to book a place in the fourth round for Adrian Pennock's young guns.

After a lacklustre and understandably tense opening, The Potters were first to assert themselves into proceedings. Dutchman Salif Diao Jimenez's fine cross picked out Marc Grocott, who dragged his shot wide of Latics custodian Neil Postlethwaite.

In a half of very few chances, City went close for a second time on the verge of half-time, when Jack Watson's free-kick was headed narrowly wide by centre-back colleague Andrew Owens, as City continued to apply the pressure.

The breakthrough duly arrived just after the hour through Diao-Jimenez. The speedy winger showed that he is also a fine header of the ball, by powering in Jimmy Phillips' corner.

And with this, the Wigan response was almost immediate. It was a heart-in-mouth moment as Latics left-back Kris King was able to carry the ball forward and he unleashed a fine left-footed effort which rattled the bar and then agonisingly bounced on goal line.

There was to be an unfortunate end to the game for 16-year-old Wigan 'keeper Postlewaite as he suffered a nasty head injury, as he denied Grocott with a brave save.

As the game entered the final 20 minutes, Wigan began to apply themselves on Danzelle St. Louis-Hamilton's goal. The Potters 'keeper was set to warm-up his hand for the first time in the game. Firstly the former Watford shot-stopper denied Adam Prince after a fine run and shot, which was expertly saved. Then the big stopper had to be on his toes once more to parry over Chris McCaughtrie's effort after he was released by Matthew Hampson's pass.

Due to Latics 'keeper Postlethwaite receiving lengthy treatment earlier on in the half, eight minutes were added on at the end of the 90. And with seven elapsed, a cruel blow was dealt. Hampson's deflected long-range effort, agonisingly evaded St. Louis Hamilton and nestled into the net, to send the tie into extra-time.

Yet even after this demoralising leveller, it was City who responded. The influential Phillips went on a mazy and weaving run, leaving three Wigan defenders in his wake and he was set to score, but for the strong right wrist of substitute keeper Tim Horn, who parried the ball to safety.

The Potters then looked a certainty to grab the winner late into extra-time. After the ball ran loose, it squirted through to substitute Nathan McDonald, but his goal-bound effort was heroically blocked by Luke Ashworth and with that penalties beckoned.

After three consecutive penalties were expertly executed by both sides, Adam Prince dragged his effort wide of St. Louis Hamilton's right-hand post, to give The Potters the advantage.

Yet Tim Horn then denied Jimmy Phillips with an outstretched arm. However St. Louis-Hamilton stopped goal hero Joe Holt's effort with a trailing leg, to leave substitute Adam Vickers with the responsibility of hero status. And he duly obliged, coolly slotting past Horn to send The Potters marching into the fourth round.

City will now face an away tie at either Southend United or Derby County in the fourth round.