The Potters posted a seventh victory in their last 10 league games.

Stoke boss Mark Robins saluted his on-song side but admitted they could have been more “clinical” despite putting Championship basement side Preston to the sword with a comfortable 2-0 victory at the bet365 Stadium.

Goals from Ben Wilmot and Jack McGlynn did the damage as Robins’ team claimed an impressive seventh victory in their last 10 league games to continue their deserved charge up the table.

Preston remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the table after a fourth defeat in five league games since Graham Alexander replaced Paul Heckingbottom as manager a month ago.

“We’ve got to be happy with the performance overall, but we’ve got to be happy with the result,” praised Robins, after his side also registered a third clean sheet on the bounce.

“But it would have been more if we had been clinical. There was a lot to like about it [the performance].

“They’re [the squad] really good and young. They still don’t understand that yet though, what they can do, but I’m excited about the group.

“It was an emotional game anyway with is being a Remembrance Day game, so we’ve got to maintain that focus on the back of all the traditional stuff before the game.

“There was nothing in the game for 27 minutes, nothing, but the [Wilmot] goal changed that. From that point we started to grow in confidence.

“But they [Preston] were spoiling it, they were slowing the game down and trying to do what they do. They tried to disrupt any rhythm.

“The goal gave us that bit of a lift and got us moving and, from that point on, I was really pleased with some of the football we played because we managed to create regular opportunities.

“In the second half we found some rhythm which wasn’t there in the first half for a number of reasons. But it wasn’t until the second half that we realised what we needed to do to go and win the game.

“We learnt a little bit ourselves again, there was some good quality there. We’re starting to look dangerous and hopefully that confidence will grow and we’ll get better and better.

“The supporters have always been there, it’s good they appreciate the effort the lads are putting in.”

A frustrated Alexander was disappointed Preston failed to have a shot on target.

He said: “It was a performance that got away from us, goals win games at the end of the day. We have to be a goal threat and score goals.

“I thought we started the game well and were competitive, but the players were determined to turn things around at half-time.

“We responded well to the goal we conceded, but there’s obviously a confidence issue. That would be stating the obvious, though.

“But you can still be a competitive team without confidence and you can still do the basics right.

“We started the game well, but the punch on the chin [Stoke’s first goal] really knocked us. We were just found wanting, really.

“We became really open trying to chase something and we didn’t really have the quality to produce it.

“But our future will depend on our home form this season and how we do at Deepdale.”

Alexander, back for a third spell at Deepdale, added: “We’re still learning about the squad, we’re trying to get the players in the best positions we can and to give them a bit of structure. I’m not oblivious to my responsibilities.

“We have to change something to change the results, which is what we tried to do.

“For me it’s about giving the players clarity, but I think we’ve stopped taking the responsibility of winning matches as a team.”