Stoke boss Tony Pulis is hoping Dave Kitson's belated first goal for the club will spur him on to greater things.
Kitson fired a 35-yard winner in extra-time after stubborn Leyton Orient had contained the Barclays Premier League side over 90 minutes in their Carling Cup second-round clash. Pulis made wholesale changes for the trip to London and was rewarded with Kitson's first goal since his £5.5million move from Reading 14 months ago.
"I thought Orient played their part," said Pulis. "They had great chances and took us on. It was end to end at times."
He added: "Some of our players hadn't played for a month. They kept going and had some good spirit.
"Kitson scored a great goal to win the game. He should not struggle with confidence the way our supporters have been behind him.
"I have never known anything like it when a player you bring in doesn't hit the back of the net but he is still adored by the fans.
"They have been fantastic with him. He had enough opportunities but it was a great strike. It was a worthy goal to win the game.
"Dave has been unlucky at times. He had a bad year last year with things away from football as well. But he has got his head down and looks a lot sharper this year.
"I am just hoping he will now score a few more."
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