City's 3-1 win at Rochdale last night.

Two goals from Peter Thorne and one from Mikael Hansson gave Stoke a two-goal advantage in the first leg of the Auto Windscreens North final.

And with the home leg to come, Stoke look virtually assured of reaching the final at Wembley against Bristol City, who beat Exeter in the South final.

Lightbourne was a substitute for last night's match against the Third Division side and did not get on.

But if he can win back his place in the starting line-up, he will follow in the footsteps of his Bermuda team-mate Shaun Goater who has played twice in the world-famous north London stadium.

Goater played in the Auto Windscreens Shield final when he was with Rotherham and made a second Wembley appearance in the Second Division promotion play-offs last season, when he helped Manchester City to victory against Gillingham.

Last night, Hansson cut inside before shooting across Neil Edwards in the Rochdale goal to give Stoke a fourth-minute lead.

The Potters went 2-0 up in the 20th minute when Arnar Gunnlaugsson appeared to mis-hit his shot but Edwards failed to hold the ball and Thorne was on hand to slot home the rebound.

Rochdale earned themselves a lifeline when Michael Holt pulled one back four minutes from time.

Kyle Lightbourne: one match away from a cup final appearance at Wembley.