Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson made two crucial saves in the shootout for Stoke
Stoke City were made to work hard for a penalty shootout third-round Carabao Cup win over League Two side Fleetwood in front of potential new manager Narcis Pelach.
The 36-year-old is reportedly in line to replace Steven Schumacher and saw goalkeeper Viktor Johansson save two penalties to send the Potters through.
A second-half header from defender Michael Rose had looked like being enough for the Championship side, under caretaker boss Ryan Shawcross, to go into round four.
But Fleetwood - led by another veteran of the Potters' Premier League era Charlie Adam - equalised in added time through Rhys Bennett.
Both sides struggled in the shootout, with Fleetwood missing four spot-kicks, and Johansson's save from substitute Ryan Broom was ultimately decisive.
Norwich coach Narcis Pelach (r) was in the stands to watch
Schumacher was sacked on Monday after a defeat at Oxford United, with Norwich coach Pelach the immediate frontrunner, external to take his place.
Pelach was pictured in the stands as a young Stoke side impressed early on, Lewis Koumas and Million Manhoef stretching Fleetwood at will.
Manhoef and Andy Moran hit the crossbar while the visitors twice threatened through Matty Virtue and Carl Johnston.
A Fleetwood corner snaked in only for the flag to go up and the away side then switched off to allow Rose to bury a powerful header.
But another corner led to Bennett equalising to force the shootout.
Phoenix Patterson, Ryan Graydon, Mipo Odubeko and Broom all missed for the visitors as the Championship side went through.
