City and Sunderland played out a war of attrition at the Stadium of Light, with plenty of effort but not as much skill on show.
The Potters missed a great opportunity to take the lead in the third minute as a great back heel from Tuncay put Whitehead in on goal. The midfielder sized up the goal but scuffed his effort and the keeper saved easily.
That chance was a rare opportunity as the game lacked inspiration and became a turgid affair, although Jones and Bent both forced Sorenson into saves before half time.
The second half started with another near miss for Stoke as a ball into the box flew around the 18 yard area before Jones was on hand to smash the ball away off the line. His clearance fell to Whitehead but the midfielders shot was deflected away and out for a corner.
Left back Higginbotham was in the thick of the action shortly before the hour mark at both ends as firstly he headed away Bent's cross at the near post before forcing Gordon to be alert at the other end just seconds later, the Scottish keeper claiming Higginbotham's cross under pressure.
The tenacity continued in the midfield but chances were still hard to come by and with just fifteen minutes left Sidibe cleared off the Potters line after a Zenden cross found its way through the box and was in danger of creaping in at the far post.
Matthew Etherington, who has been the Potters main threat without much luck or support, then put a ball to the back post where Delap was there to nod it back across the box. Whelan jumped but couldn't quite reach as Gordon plucked the ball out of the air.
City then had another great opportunity, all self created, after Fuller turned and headed for goal. After breezing past Mensah he sped into the box befoer slamming a shot across goal. Gordon dived and palmed the ball away, with the rebound falling between the incoming Delap and Sidibe, who had a simple tap in.
The game closed out with the Potters having their best spell as Higginbotham, Etherington, Huth, Delap and Fuller all denied in the last five minutes.