Stoke's downturn in form has seen them drop from early front-runners to languishing in mid-table but the announcement that manager Tony Pulis has agreed a new contract should boost the Potters.
Local rivals Crewe didn't get off to the best of starts with City pressing early on.
Clive Clarke's second minute shot rolled across the area beating Clayton Ince and rolling into Chris Greenacre's path, but the former Mansfield forward's shot didn't have enough power to cross the line.
The Railwaymen broke three minutes later and almost took the lead against the run of play when Kenny Lunt flicked the ball through to Dean Ashton but his ten-yard effort fell wide left of Steve Simonsen's post.
Ince kept his side in the game twice in the 19th minute, both against powerful forward Ade Akinbiyi.
A combination of a low block and fingertip save kept the scores level.
Crewe looked more composed after half time but it was still Stoke that created the chances. Dave Brammer and Akinbiyi combined in the 63rd minute to create a shooting opportunity but nobody crept forward as the ball flashed across the goal.
However, the Potters finally broke the deadlock seconds later when Marcus Hall whipped a ball in from the left for Gifton Noel-Williams who didn't hesitate as he powered his header past the helpless Ince.
The visitors threw themselves at the Stoke backline in the dying minutes but neither David Vaughan or Ashton could grab the goal that could salvage a point for Dario Gradi's side.