DANNY Higginbotham says Stoke must draw strength from their Britannia Stadium performances as they attempt to end their poor run away from home.

Yesterday's 3-0 defeat at the City of Manchester Stadium extended Stoke's record to just one point from five away games.

They could have lost by more than Robinho's hat-trick as the home side took over in the second half.

Stoke were much better in the first half and were unlucky to trail 1-0.

But Higginbotham says they must show the same consistency on their travels as they have done in taking six points from four games at the Britannia.

He said: "We have to take that same mentality away from home.

"We matched Manchester City for the first half here, but we have to do that for the full 90 minutes.

"We are very disappointed to lose 3-0, considering the chances we have had. At times, we caused our own problems."

Higginbotham had an impressive game at left-back as Stoke did their best to cope with a Manchester City side inspired by the pace and movement of Shaun Wright-Phillips and £32.5m Brazilian striker Robinho.

Higginbotham added: "We had a few chances ourselves but, when they had theirs, they put them in the back of the net. That can be the difference and is why players are bought for £30m. It is why centre-forwards and players who score goals cost so much money."

Manchester City always looked in command once Robinho had scored their second goal two minutes into the second half.

Higginbotham added: "That really knocked the stuffing out of us. We didn't think we'd deserved to go in 1-0 down at half-time, but that is the Premier League. If teams get chances then they will score."

The defender expects the team to recover from their heaviest defeat of the season. He says the Stoke players can't be daunted by facing players such as Wright-Phillips and Robinho.

He added: "They are great players, but if you don't want to be playing against players like that, then you shouldn't be playing at this level. It is all about testing yourself against the best."