DERBY County's interest in this season's FA Cup has been ended at the fourth round stage by Premier League side Stoke City.

The Potters won 2-0 at Pride Park Stadium thanks to an early strike from Cameron Jerome and a late second from Robert Huth.

The Rams battled gamely but could not avoid their first defeat of 2012, leaving them to now focus solely on their Championship campaign.

Derby striker Theo Robinson failed to shake off a calf injury he picked up in last weekend's goalless draw at Burnley, so he was replaced by fit-again midfielder Jeff Hendrick, while James Bailey retained his place after recovering from illness.

As a result, Craig Bryson was employed in an advanced role behind lone front man Callum Ball.

Meanwhile, there was a surprise place on the bench for Nathan Tyson, who has missed the previous four games due to sickness and an ongoing groin problem.

Scottish forward Chris Maguire was also named as one of Derby's seven substitutes, with young defender Tom Naylor added to the bench as well.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis made four changes to his side, with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, full-back Andy Wilkinson, midfielder Dean Whitehead and strikerJerome coming into the starting line-up.

It did not take the Potters long to make the breakthrough - perhaps unsurprisingly from a set piece.

After a corner from the left was taken short, Glen Whelan whipped the ball low into the box, Marc Wilson flicked it on and Huth also got a touch before Jerome smashed home a volley from close range.

It was the first goal Derby had conceded this year - after going nearly seven hours without letting one in.

Jerome headed over from Whelan's free kick after 20 minutes, before Ryan Shawcross was booked for tripping the ever-alert Bryson.

The Rams might have levelled in the 27th minute.

James Bailey released Bryson down the right and his cross was cleared only as far as Paul Green, whose shot was blocked by Whitehead.

The danger remained, though, and when Wilkinson headed away another ball into the middle, Hendrick fired narrowly wide from 15 yards.

Stoke nearly doubled their lead, however, on the half-hour - Huth heading a Matthew Etherington corner from the right against a post.

Jamie Ward was causing the visitors problems down the left wing and he was frustrated not to get a foul when he went down under the challenge of Wilkinson, very close to the penalty area, having been sent clear by Hendrick.

Ward did win a free kick in a good position just before the break after being brought down by Whitehead as the Rams ended the half strongly but Stoke stood firm.

Bogovic almost gifted the Rams a chance 10 minutes into the second half when he inexplicably headed the ball clear on the edge of his area but Bryson's header back in just evaded Ball in a good position.

The Stoke keeper was in action again after 57 minutes, tipping Green's deep free kick from the right behind, with Shaun Barker lurking.

At the other end, Frank Fielding did well to divert Matthew Ehterington's fierce cross-shot over the bar after the winger had beaten Jason Shackell on the right.

Pulis brought on Jermaine Pennant and Kenwyne Jones for Etherington and Peter Crouch after the hour.

Pennant went close in the 73rd minute with a free kick from all of 30 yards out, Fielding scrambling to his right to push the ball away to safety.

Jonathan Walters then glanced a header narrowly over from a Pennant corner as Stoke looked to settle the tie.

Ricardo Fuller replaced Jerome in the closing stages, while Clough introduced Tyson for Bailey.

Stoke's second goal came in the 81st minute.

Pennant's corner from the right reached Huth, whose low volley from 10 yards went under Fielding and crept over the line.

There was no way back from here for the Rams, though there was time for brief cameos from Jake Buxton and Naylor, who came on for his first-team debut.

DERBY COUNTY: Fielding, Brayford, Barker, Shackell (Naylor, 89), Roberts, Green, Bailey (Tyson, 78), Hendrick, Ward, Bryson (Buxton, 86), Ball. Other subs: Legzdins (gk), B Davies, Doyle, Maguire.

STOKE CITY: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Walters, Whitehead, Whelan, Etherington (Pennant, 63), Crouch (Jones, 66), Jerome (Fuller, 77). Other subs: Nash (gk), Woodgate, Shotton, Delap.

REFEREE: M Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).

ATTENDANCE: 22,247 (5,569 away fans).