An uneasy start for the visitors saw Stoke searching for a goal after ten minutes when new signing Peter Kopteff struck a low drive from 20 yards that was held comfortably by Scott Bevan.
Jake Edwards' attempts to remedy his lack of service saw the loan player smashing a pot shot from 30 yards but it never really looked like bothering the experienced Steve Simonsen.
Stoke's best chance of the half arrived in the 33rd minute when Paul Gallagher turned Adie Smith inside the box, allowing him room to shoot but Bevan stayed alert to divert the ball away from goal.
Tamworth finally broke the pressure after 35 minutes when Matt Redmile's free-kick was headed straight to the feet of Eddie Anaclet who should have done better, shooting weakly into the arms of the goalkeeper from 20 yards.
A painful collision between Jimmy Turner and Smith in the 68th minute gave Mamady Sidibe a clear run at goal but a poor touch gave Bevan the opportunity to rush out and parry the striker's lack-lustre shot.
Stoke's desperation to resolve the tie before a replay was apparent as Johan Boskamp made three attacking substitutions in an attempt to boost his struggling side.
Bevan flew into action again eight minutes from time when the towering goalkeeper got down quickly saving Darel Russell's 20-yard shot, pushing the ball around his left post.
Stoke narrowly avoided disaster in stoppage time when Edwards beat the offside trap but any chance of a dream goal was halted with a deflection rendering his shot harmless.