Forest, who are still without a win in the league, set out their stall from the off with Wes Morgan outstanding at the heart of a well drilled defence.
There was little to lift the game in a poor first half which only sprung to life in the closing stages.
Gareth Taylor threatened for Forest in the 39th minute when his firm header from Eoin Jess' cross drew a decent save from Steve Simonsen.
Stoke went even closer just before the break with Clive Clarke placing a close-range shot straight into the arms of Paul Gerrard.
Forest continued to shut up shop effectively throughout the second period with their hard earned share of the spoils threatened only sporadically.
An Ade Akinbiyi header from a Wayne Thomas cross was dealt with by Gerrard, while Marcus Hall should have done better than pull his shot well wide following a Clarke corner.
Jess missed Forest's best chance to snatch an unlikely win when he drove wide from Gerry Taggart's headed clearance.
Stoke also needed a smart stop from Simonsen, making his full debut in place of the injured Ed De Goey, when he dived at the feet of Alan Rogers eight minutes from time.