Ben Pearson scored for the first time in six years as Stoke City ended their three-game losing streak by holding on for a 2-1 victory over Swansea City.

Defensive midfielder Pearson struck in spectacular fashion, curling the ball home from 25 yards to put Stoke ahead shortly before half-time.

Stoke's second goal came from a much more familiar source, as leading scorer Sorba Thomas coolly swept in at the far post from Bae Junho's low cross.

The Potters looked set to cruise to victory until Zan Vipotnik met substitute Melker Widell's superb centre with a crisp finish to rejuvenate Vitor Matos' team.

Despite a late Swansea rally, Stoke held on for a welcome success having lost five of their previous six matches.

Mark Robins' team move back into the Championship play-off places before the day's later kick-offs, while Swansea drop to 19th after a sixth defeat in their past eight league games.

Buoyed by successive home victories, Swansea had plenty of bright moments during the first period, with Vipotnik denied by Viktor Johansson's diving save before the Stoke goalkeeper pawed out a Cameron Burgess header.

But Stoke always carried a threat in what was an entertaining contest, with Ben Wilmot stabbing wide before Pearson ran on to a loose ball and delivered the sort of finish nobody could have anticipated given that it brought just the fifth league goal of his long career.

Stoke were in control for a spell after Thomas doubled their advantage, with Million Manhoef coming close to a third goal as Swansea wobbled.

But after a flurry of Matos substitutions, Vipotnik's 10th goal of the season set up a nervy climax, with Junior Tchamadeu hacking Zeidane Inoussa's cross-shot off the line as Stoke edged to victory.

Stoke were second in the table - and within four points of leaders Coventry City - after a comprehensive victory at Oxford in early November, but a worrying slump in form meant they began the day in eighth.

Wales international Thomas and Manhoef were influential as they registered this timely win, with Sweden international Johansson also doing his bit with a typically polished performance in goal.

Robins will hope victory proves to be the start of an upturn in form over the festive period, although Swansea may feel they deserved something after their battling display.

Aside from a 15-minute spell after Thomas' goal, Swansea competed admirably with opponents who have enjoyed a much more positive season up until now.

But defeat means pressure remains as Matos' side prepare for an eye-catching Welsh derby against Wrexham in six days' time.

Stoke manager Mark Robins:

"It was important because the five [defeats] out of six games everybody keeps reminding us about. We have not won since Charlton here and we have had three tough away games we've lost and the Hull game here which was a reverse we shouldn't have suffered.

"We made hard work of it because I thought we were the better team from start to finish and we sometimes contrive to give ourselves problems in areas we don't need to.

"But on the back of the week we have had… it's really hard for players, hence the six changes. I wanted energy from everybody and we wouldn't have got that with more of the players that played the other night.

"I have got to say I'm delighted with the three points because it was much needed."

Swansea head coach Vitor Matos:

"I think it was a good game that we should have grabbed from the start. We were a little bit passive in the way we approached it.

"In this kind of game, when we come here to Stoke, we need to grab it from the beginning.

"We grew into the game, then Stoke scored. Then the second goal on the moment we were making changes.

"But we showed character and willing to grab something from today. We created chances. When you create chances you need to score, because we know how hard it is to score here."