All eyes were on Sheffield United with Neil Warnock's side seemingly unstoppable at the moment after achieving an FA Cup semi-final place and riding high in the play-off places race.
But the Blades almost gave away an early goal after 14 minutes when on-loan midfielder Mark Wilson whipped in a corner from the left that Paddy Kenny couldn't hold, but Chris Iwelumo failed to get any real power behind his header.
At the other end eight minutes later Michael Brown's cross caused confusion in the box with the ball falling for Steve Kabba who miraculously fired over the bar from two yards among calls for a penalty.
Stoke didn't look like a relegation-threatened side going into half time with the Potters more than matching United but neither side could find their finishing touch to grab the lead.
After being on the back foot for 20 minutes Stoke managed to break forward and nearly scored when James O'Connor chipped the ball over the Blades' defence to allow substitute Bjarni Gudjonsson a chance that he chipped over Kenny and the crossbar.
Both teams seemed happy with a point towards the end with several substitutions bringing no change to the play whatsoever.
Sheffield didn't show the guile and hard work that has been earning them rave reviews in recent months and the Potters couldn't quite get back the rhythm that helped them early on.
Blades manager Neil Warnock said: "Overall not a great game to watch. I was pleased with the referee but the crowd gave him a lot of stick but the officials didn't miss a thing, they were probably the best on the pitch today.
"Stoke are fighting for their lives and they are playing a bit more direct than us but that's what you've got to do when you're down there. You have to graft hard."