Doncaster Rovers took on Stoke City at the Keepmoat Stadium yesterday hoping to secure a cup upset against Mark Hughes and his Premier League outfit. 

While Darren Ferguson's side huffed and puffed and managed an equaliser, the tie was settled by a stunning Jon Walters strike.

The hosts hit the bar towards the end and created a couple of other half chances, but Stoke never looked in too much danger, seeing out the tie to progress to the fourth round.

Manager Ferguson won't be too upset though with his side's performance, and will be looking to put it behind them now as they look to push on in League One during the second half of the season.

Hughes will be delighted to make it in to the hat for the next round as he looks to guide the Potters to some silverware.

FootballLeagueWorld writer Lee Connor identifies three things that we learned from Saturday's game in South Yorkshire...

1) Stoke have a squad capable of going a long way

Hughes made nine changes as he approached this tricky encounter with inconsistent Doncaster, and it would be hard to argue that it made much difference.

Seasoned pros Walters and Peter Crouch both provided crucial contributions when it mattered, while Charlie Adam, Joselu, and Miram Diouf demonstrated enough quality to suggest they are more than capable deputies for Xherdan Shaqiri and co.

Hughes will be delighted with the win, and will be happy to be given a few selection headaches in the process.

2) You must take your chances to cause a cup upset

It would be harsh to say Doncaster came nowhere near winning the tie.

They created a few chances and took one, forcing Stoke to step up their game and find a winner. But, when it comes down to it, you simply have to take your chances if you are to knock out higher league opposition.

In Andy Williams and Nathan Tyson, Doncaster possess two strikers more than capable of producing the goods, but as the ball threatened to drop, ready to be tucked away in the dying minutes, neither could convert.

Ferguson may learn a lot from this though and may even look to strengthen in the attacking department as the transfer window progresses.

3) Lower league clubs command respect from Premier League sides

With another League One club taking on a Premier League side, it once again demonstrated that despite the riches of the upper echelons of English football, there is some real quality lower down the ladder.

A 2-1 loss to a side who spent heavily on international stars during the summer is by no means anything to be ashamed of.

With this result, Sheffield United coming within minutes of a draw at Old Trafford, and League Two Exeter City gaining a draw with Liverpool, there will be a growing confidence spreading throughout League One and Two in regards to the level they can perform when pushed.

Doncaster fans... what do you think of the game? Did you deserve to force a replay? Can you achieve a play-off place this season? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!