Stoke struggled to get going in the first half and Reading would have been disappointed to go into the interval at 0-0. Lloyd Owusu was responsible for missing two guilt-edged chances but his strike partner Shaun Goater was also guilty of some poor finishing.
The first chance was after just six minutes. A poor backpass from Darel Russell let in Owusu who rounded Ed De Goey only to fire against the outside of the post from an acute angle. Just three minutes later De Goey was thankful to see Goater volley wide of the left-hand post from around 20 yards.
Stoke did threaten occasionally with Marcus Hahnemann denying Gifton Noel-Williams and Clive Clarke coming close on two occasions. However, it was Readings half and Owusu should have scored just before the break when he headed over from six yards.
The Potters started the second half more brightly and Russell fired over before a brilliant save denied Gerry Taggart when it seemed sure the big centre-back would score. Owusu was once again presented a good opening on 65 but he sidefooted wide from the edge of the six-yard box.
Royals goalkeeper Hahnemann was withdrawn with injury but his replacement, debutant Young produced one of the saves of the season on 76. A Peter Hoekstra corner found substitute Carl Asaba who's glancing heading seemed destined for the net before Young somehow managed to palm the ball away.
After this Stoke were happy to soak up the late pressure but were glad to see Paul Brooker shoot over and were then grateful to Russell's superb block to deny Shaun Goater.
An early injury worry for Tuesdays trip to the Stadium of Light is Gifton Noel-Williams. The striker hobbled off after 73 minutes and is rated as 'touch and go'. Tuesdays match represents the most difficult obstacle Stoke have faced in recent weeks but the Potters will go into the match with confidence after todays result made it just one defeat in the last 14 outings.
Sunderland have lost just once in the league at home this season but Stoke will feel like they have nothing to lose after todays result. A win would propel Tony Pulis's men to the edge of the playoffs whilst a defeat would effectively end all hopes of a top six finish.