Captain Ben Gibson scored a stoppage-time equaliser – having earlier put the ball in his own net – to earn Stoke City a dramatic 2-2 draw against fellow Championship strugglers Cardiff City.

Andrew Moran gave Stoke a first-half lead as he struck on the rebound after Jak Alnwick had saved Million Manhoef's shot.

Cardiff equalised 15 minutes later as Joe Ralls' deflected volley was turned in by Anwar El Ghazi, with the Potters claiming in vain that he was offside.

Yakou Meite hit the bar for the Bluebirds after the break and, with both sides pushing forward in search of a winning goal, Gibson turned Chris Willock's saved shot into his own net.

But the Stoke skipper made amends in added time, scoring from Lynden Gooch's free-kick.

The celebrations were of relief for the home fans but there was still unhappiness as both teams are now winless in seven games.

The point takes Cardiff out of the relegation zone, while Stoke move up one place to 17th in the Championship table.

There was a sense of anti-climax at the final whistle as neither team could summon a much-needed win after six matches each without victory.

Stoke had lost three games in succession, while Cardiff had followed a six-game unbeaten run by drawing three and losing three, including a midweek 2-0 defeat at home to Preston.

That dismal performance angered manager Omer Riza, who responded by making five changes and switching formation to a three-man defence for the trip to Stoke.

Riza initially got the reaction he wanted from his players, who started brightly as they pressed forward and created chances with Calum Chambers heading over from a corner and Andy Rinomhota forcing Viktor Johansson into a good save.

However, the Bluebirds soon had that familiar sinking feeling as they fell behind. Alnwick palmed away Manhoef's initial effort but, with Cardiff's defenders flat-footed, Moran pounced to score.

Moran hit an other effort over but Riza's men were level after half an hour as El Ghazi reacted sharply to convert Ralls' deflected volley.

Stoke players and fans pleaded for offside but referee Josh Smith and his assistants allowed the goal to stand.

The home crowd were further frustrated when Wales forward Lewis Koumas fired wide from a tight angle after dispossessing Rinomhota, while Alnwick saved from Manhoef early in the second half.

Cardiff then came within inches of taking the lead as Meite's volley bounced into the ground and hit the crossbar.

Both teams attacked and created chances, and it was the visitors who struck next – with some luck.

Willock did well on the left to create space and shoot and, although Johansson kept that effort out, it bounced off Gibson and into the net.

It was an unfortunate moment for the Potters skipper but he redeemed himself in injury time to salvage a draw for Stoke and leave Cardiff still searching for a first away win of the season.

Stoke captain Ben Gibson told BBC Radio Stoke:

"It was too eventful. I've been unlucky, there have been three of them [own goals] now. That's something I have to eradicate even though the last two were extremely unlucky.

"Hopefully I've showed my character to bounce back and get us an equaliser, but it's not about me, it's about the team and we know today is really disappointing.

"We have to be better. The fans are right to moan and make their feelings felt because that [performance] isn't good enough for this football club. There has to be more fight."

Cardiff manager Omer Riza told BBC Radio Wales:

"We're disappointed to only come away with a point, and points are much-needed. We needed a reaction from the Preston game and we got that I feel.

"All the players, to a man, were excellent. We just didn't quite do enough to get the win.

"It was a great reaction but we're just disappointed not to get the three points we really needed."