Shawcross is mobbed by Rory Delap after his winner against Middlesbrough
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has praised defender Ryan Shawcross after his goal helped the Potters secure a vital victory against Middlesbrough.
Shawcross headed an 84th-minute winner to lift the Potters out of the Premier League's relegation zone.
Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke: "I was more pleased with his performance defensively, because if you keep clean sheets you win more games.
"But if he pops up with more winning goals like that, it's a nice bonus."
The defender's winning goal against Middlesbrough was his third goal in his last four matches.
Pulis added: "He's got a long way to go yet and a lot of learning ahead, but he's a level-headed kid. One day he'll be a top player."
The 21-year-old scored eight times in the Potters promotion season, but had failed to find the net in the Premier League until the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on 1 March.
Shawcross told BBC Radio Stoke: "I always thought that one goal would win the game, and luckily for me, I got it.
"I changed my run-up to the throw for the first time and I'm glad it worked.
"If I get one, I get a couple, so hopefully I can continue with the rich vein of form I'm in with goals."
The next three games for Stoke come against teams in the bottom six of the Premier League - they travel to West Bromwich Albion (4 April) before home games against Newcastle (11 April) and Blackburn (18 April).
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