The Potters received a massive blow before kick-off when star man Ricardo Fuller flew home to Jamaica following a family bereavement.
And it was Hull that threatened first when Bryan Hughes skinned Stephen Wright and struck a shot which was deflected over the top by Ryan Shawcross.
The visitors continued to dominate and an overhead kick by Hughes flew straight at Steve Simonsen.
But it was Stoke that took the lead five minutes later with their first effort of the match.
Hull keeper Boaz Myhill tried to collect a huge throw from Rory Delap but former Tigers defender Leon Cort got to the ball first to glance home a header.
The goal sparked Stoke into life and Myhill soon atoned for his error with outstanding saves from Jon Parkin and Liam Lawrence inside the next five minutes.
But Hull rallied as half-time approached and a blistering shot from Dean Windass again went too close to Simonsen.
Hull continued on the front foot at the start of the second half with the busy Windass carrying their main threat.
But Windass was the provider when the visitors netted a thoroughly deserved equaliser in the 61st minute.
Lawrence lost the ball in a Stoke attack and the action moved swiftly to the other end of the field with Caleb Folan heading in Windass' left-wing cross.
Windass then headed a Hughes cross onto the top of the crossbar with Hull now looking the most likely victors.
But the Stoke defence soaked up further strong pressure to extend their unbeaten run to ten games.