Cardiff City slipped to their second home defeat of the season as they came to terms with life without leading scorer Robert Earnshaw.
While the Welsh international was agreeing the terms of a £4million switch to Premiership West Brom, City went down to a sucker punch from Gifton Noel-Williams in the 37th minute.
Earnshaw's place up front was taken by Andy Campbell while in another forced change, Danny Gabbidon switched to left-back for the suspended Tony Vidmar.
Tony Pulis' side have started the season in fine form and they were unbeaten in fourth place after four games.
It was Campbell who brought the crowd to their feet in the seventh minute when he went down in the area following a challenge from Gerry Taggart, but referee Howard Webb waved play on.
There was an even bigger appeal after 15 minutes when a jinking run from Jobi McAnuff ended as he was upended well inside the area. But once again, the referee refused claims for a penalty.
McAnuff brought Stoke's keeper Ed de Goey to his knees with a low shot to the near post on the half hour as the Bluebirds continued on the attack.
A minute later, De Goey was again in action tipping over a Graham Kavanagh free-kick.
In a rare breakaway Karl Henry took advantage of a slip by Robert Page to put Ade Akinbiyi through on goal in the 35th minute, but his shot struck the foot of the post and was hacked clear.
Two minutes later Akinbiyi put Noel-Williams in and this time he made no mistake with a shot into the corner of the net to give Stoke the lead against the run of play.
Five minutes after the restart the Bluebirds should have levelled when Gabbidon raced onto a cross from John Robinson but placed his header wide of the post.
Then Alan Lee headed wide when it looked easier to score after neat play from Campbell.
Cardiff carried on controlling the game, as Kavanagh rifled in a fierce shot that De Goey pushed away for a corner and the well organized Stoke defence continued to keep the home side out.
The Potters were still dangerous on the break and Akinbiyi had a great chance to put the match beyond doubt, only for Tony Warner to deflect his shot for a corner.
Stoke packed their defence with ten men back and Cardiff were unable to get the goal their overall display deserved.