Stoke midfielder Darel Russell scored the only goal on 38 minutes to pile on the misery for the under-fire Eagles boss.
Hard as Palace tried they simply lacked the guile to penetrate the Stoke defence and indeed can only look back on two worthwhile efforts in the entire 90 minutes.
On 30 minutes Jobi McAnuff was unlucky when he looked certain to score only for Danny Higginbotham to appear from nowhere with a magnificent clearance off the line.
Stoke had already given the home side a few anxious moments through Lee Hendrie's free-kick that was superbly tipped over by Gabor Kiraly.
Mamady Sidibe should have done better when he was given on-side but, when he ran unchallenged into the penalty area, he misplaced his shot wide of an open goal.
However, on 38 minutes Stoke went in front. Tom Soares lost possession in midfield, Hendrie picked up the pieces and fed Russell who was located just inside the area.
The midfielder took the ball in his stride before lashing the ball past Kiarly from 12 yards out.
The second half was a real midfield battle and a mass brawl near the touchline resulted in Russell and Soares getting booked while Clinton Morrison foolishly continued to argue with the referee and was also handed a yellow card.
Higginbotham and Michael Duberry were outstanding for the visitors while Steve Simonsen had an easy time in the Potters goal.
As the Eagles launched long balls into the Stoke penalty area, the visitors were content to soak up the pressure although they did have to perform a few goalmouth clearances to keep their lead intact.
But they nearly let it slip in the dying seconds. McAnuff and Morrison combined well and the latter crossed into the goalmouth for skipper Michael Hughes to storm in with a diving header. However, the ball agonisingly flew just wide of the post.