City bounced back from Tuesday night's defeat at Charlton to secure an impressive 2-1 victory over in form Cardiff City.
A Roger Johnson own goal fired the Potters in to a first half lead, before Ricardo Fuller slotted home from the penalty spot in the second half to double the advantage.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink halved the deficit in the 63rd minute, but the Potters held on to end their seven game unbeaten run.
Tony Pulis named deadline day signings Glenn Whelan and Paul Gallagher in the squad ahead of the top of the table clash.
The City boss also handed Salif Diao his first start since signing for the Potters last year, at the expense of John Eustace, who completed a move to Watford on Thursday.
Mamady Sidibe was drafted straight back in to the starting eleven following Mali's elimination from the African Cup of Nations, partnering top scorer Ricardo Fuller in attack.
Carl Dickinson made way for the powerful striker, with Danny Pugh dropping back in to defence to take up the vacant left back slot.
Richard Cresswell made way for Sidibe up front, and slotted back on to the left hand side of midfield.
City started the match brightly and created an early opportunity, but Liam Lawrence dragged his effort wide of Michael Oakes' right hand post.
The visitors were next to try their luck in the fourth minute, however Wales international Paul Parry fired a speculative effort just over the bar.
The Potters almost took the lead in the 20th minute through Sidibe, but after brilliantly hustling his way past two defenders, his shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of Oakes, before being swept away from danger by Kevin McNaughton.
Former Chelsea hit-man Hasselbaink tested Steve Simonsen for the first time on the half hour, and he gathered comfortably from his 30-yard strike.
Bluebirds defender McNaughton was forced in to a last ditch tackle to thwart Richard Cresswell moments later, after Fuller laid the ball off to the former Leeds man.
Jamaican international Fuller was causing all sorts of problems on the right flank, and his pace won City a corner after 38 minutes.
Lawrence whipped in a dangerous ball which Cardiff defender Johnson sliced past his own keeper and in to the back of the net, for his second own goal in the space of a week.
The lead was nearly doubled minutes just before the half time whistle, however Sidibe was unable to connect with Lawrence's clever ball in to the 6-yard box.
Following the interval, the Potters immediately set about doubling their advantage.
Cresswell sent a looping header just over following good work from Lawrence, and Fuller sent an effort straight in to the arms of Oakes.
Another teasing Lawrence corner was met by England Under 21 international Shawcross in the 54th minute, and his header drifted inches past the post.
Two minutes later though, City were awarded a clear cut penalty after McNaughton bundled over Fuller inside the penalty area.
He picked himself up and calmly slotted the ball in to the bottom left hand corner much to the jubilation of the City faithful.
Two should have been three a minute later, as a quick City counter attack led to Sidibe having a clear shot on goal, unfortunately though he missed the target from 9-yards.
Somewhat against the run of play, Cardiff capped off a frantic fine minute spell as they pulled a goal back.
Hasselbaink latched on to Parry's header at the far post and neatly slid the ball home.
The ex-Holland international really should have leveled the scoreline a minute later, but after bursting through on goal, his shot was superbly palmed away by Simonsen.
The energetic Delap tried his luck from range in the 74th minute, but despite connecting well his shot flew over.
New signing Whelan was brought on in the 80th minute for his City debut to replace the tired Sidibe.
City soaked up late pressure from the Bluebirds, and only a last ditch McNaughton tackle stopped Fuller making it three in the final minute.
