FORMER Saints defender Danny Higginbotham was the match-winner on a day when he played his part in Stoke City creating a new club record.

The former St Mary's star converted the penalty that gave the in-form Potters a home victory over QPR yesterday.

He also took his place in a defence which has now gone a club record 656 minutes since they last conceded a goal.

Stoke have zoomed into fifth place in the Championship table after six wins and a draw in their last seven matches - and during that time keeper Steve Simonsen has not been beaten.

The last time Stoke conceded was in a 2-1 loss at Leicester on October 31. In all, they have only conceded those two goals in nine matches since Mario Licka's goal gave Saints victory at St Mary's on October 21.

Higginbotham, who only scored four times in 94 league appearances for Saints, has now netted FIVE times in his last 12 league appearances for Stoke.

Of those goals, three have been penalties - including two three-pointers at home to West Brom and QPR.

Along with Higginbotham, Pompey full-back Andy Griffin has been part of Stoke's record-breaking defensive performance.

But Griffin now returns to Fratton Park.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: "We are going to miss him and we hope to sort something out in January. I've talked to Harry Redknapp about it and the wheels are in motion."

Stoke grabbed their winner in the 16th minute after a debatable penalty award for Mauro Milanese's challenge on ex-Saint Ricardo Fuller.

Fuller went to ground after the two men went shoulder to shoulder and Higginbotham made no mistake after referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot.