Ryan Shawcross is handing over a rejuvenated Stoke City to Mark Robins after a fiercely hard-working draw at promotion-chasing Burnley.

Stoke might have found a moment to win this match of few real big chances but with a lot more threat, energy and urgency than they had mustered not all that long ago. Lewis Koumas hit the bar and Sam Gallagher had a close range header drift just wide. Burnley will think they might have won it too – and should have done with the final touch of the game, by Josh Laurent – but they played the last few minutes with 10 men after an outrageous stamp from Hannibal on Junior Tchamadeu.

This was a Stoke performance that was fully appreciated by the travelling fans, who are starting a new year with another new era – and going into it with a bit of new optimism thanks to the last couple of matches, with four points and two clean sheets to show for it.

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The first half saw Burnley clock up 70 per cent of possession but Stoke limited how much they could get into the area and were content to mostly see hopeful long range punts land high in the stand behind their goal.

Stoke were able to maintain a threat at the other end, although they couldn’t turn moments and openings into shots quite often enough. Tom Cannon did well to get goalside of Roberts when he was spotted running into the Burnley half by Viktor Johansson but he ended up being pushed a little wide and his effort couldn’t trouble James Trafford.

Stoke started the second-half with energy and Moran had a shot blocked after being teed up by Junior Tchamadeu before Tchamadeu flicked a Moran pass on for Cannon to blast a left footer from inside the area on target but saved by Trafford.

Wouter Burger’s race was run before the hour mark when he fell awkwardly and Shawcross went attacking with the change, sending on Gallagher and nudging Moran deeper. If it was a sign of intent, Bae Junho took note and danced through the Burnley midfield before letting rip from 25 yards, deflected narrowly over.

Stoke stayed on the front foot and Koumas showed real bite to twice skin Lucas Pires, firstly winning a corner and secondly hammering a shot onto the bar and over via a vital touch from Trafford. They were up against 10 men for the closing stages after Burnley sub Hannibal all-but jumped on a prone Tchamadeu down by the corner flag, leaving Ward with no choice but to brandish a straight red card.

Stoke might have won it in injury time again when Gallagher got on the end of a Junho free-kick and sent a header across the face of goal and wide.

But Laurent might have won it for Burnley with the last touch. It bounced up perfectly for the former Stoke captain in the six-yard box and somehow he ballooned it over the bar.

The away end serenaded Shawcross as Stoke players went over to soak up applause at the final whistle – and the caretaker prepares to hand over the keys to Robins.

Here are the player ratings from Turf Moor:

Johansson: Captain again, there when he needed to be and brave. On alert to release a Stoke attack when he grabbed the ball. 7

Tchamadeu: Has found his best form under Shawcross, keeping things simple. Pace to sweep up at times and useful joining in attacks. Horrendous stamp on him for red card. 8

Gooch: Able to shift in gear to sprint down the left and willing to cross with either foot into the box. 8

Phillips: A willing defender, mostly keeping forwards at arm’s length and making sensible decisions in possession. 8

Wilmot: Has accepted senior role in absence of Ben Gibson this week, leading from centre-half and being willing to throw long diagonal balls forward. 8

Seko: Always willing to take a pass and try to quickly move it on and consistently cajoling his teammates with gesture after gesture. 7

Burger: Pretty energetic and might have taken chances more ruthlessly when they fell his way in the penalty area. 7

Moran: Covered a lot of ground. Decent effort blocked early in second half. Tried to feed balls into the final third. 7

Koumas: Pace and skill to get down the right wing and willingly chipped in defensively. Skinned Pires at times in second half. 8

Junho: Showed flashes of brilliant control and at his best on the transition, getting Stoke up the pitch. 7

Cannon: Excellent aggression and hard work leading the line if only he could have stuck one of his half-chances beyond Trafford. Smashed a left footer fiercely. 7.5

Substitutes

Gallagher (for Burger, 59): Had to handle some close attention from Burnley defenders and was willing to take it on the chin. Close-range header just wide. 7.5

Tezgel (for Cannon, 79): Fresh legs for the final stages and was unfortunate to be pulled up for soft foul by Ward as he ran into box. 6.5

Not used: Bonham, Ennis, Gibson, Lawal, Rose, Sidibe, Stevens.

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey) 3

Match rating: 7.5

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