Stoke City boss Tony Pulis was proud of his players after they secured progress to the next phase of the Europa League.

Dynamo Kiev ad picked up only a single point from 10 previous trips to England but they dominated the first half at the Britannia Stadium and took a deserved lead through a Matthew Upson own goal.

Stoke improved in the second half but had to wait until nine minutes from time to grab the vital goal, Kenwyne Jones heading in Jermaine Pennant's cross to make it 1-1.

Pulis said: "We were off the pace in the first half but they're a good side. There was one change from the side that knocked Manchester City out last season.

"What we've done is fantastic and we've qualified from what I think is the toughest group.

"That's nine games in Europe and nine games unbeaten. It's a great, great achievement. It's very difficult for Premier League teams to play in the Europa League because you come back and every game is like a cup final.

"You can look at other European leagues and the strength in depth isn't as great. It's a real struggle in that respect but we want to do well.

"It's the first time we've been in Europe for more than 30 years. You can wash it away, but I don't want to wash it away, I want to enjoy it, I want the supporters to enjoy it, I want everybody at the football club to enjoy it because we might not get it for a while again.

"It's the first time this football club's ever achieved this, so it's another milestone and is testimony to everything we're trying to do."