High-flying Stoke saw their play-off hopes dented after they failed to break down a stubborn Preston rearguard during a turgid and injury-ravaged encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

The Potters failed to record their fourth consecutive Coca-Cola Championship victory, but did however stretch their miserly defensive record to 367 minutes without conceding a goal.

But Stoke chief Tony Pulis was ultimately left to rue his side's lack of creativity and guile on a day when the Potters' promotion rivals - Millwall, Derby, West Ham, Sheffield United and Reading - all recorded victories.

Two early injury-induced substitutions from Preston, and one soon after from the hosts, prevented any semblance of rhythm from being established as both defences remained firmly on top throughout.

This fixture took place exactly one year ago at the Britannia Stadium but now 12 months, the promotion-chasing Potters failed to go one better than that 1-1 draw by registering the victory to edge them ever closer to the play-off places.

With a bumper crowd kick-off was delayed for 10 minutes after a 16-vehicle pile-up closed the northbound section of M6 motorway and delayed the arrival of the expected 20,000-plus fans.

Preston were dealt a blow after just 10 minutes when injury to defender Callum Davidson forced manager Billy Davies to replace him with Marlon Broomes.

Worse was to follow for the visitors, however, as Broomes succumbed to injury within nine minutes of his arrival and was replaced by Dickson Etuhu.

Stoke, fielding an adventurous triumvirate of Ade Akinbiyi, Gifton Noel-Williams and Carl Asaba, looked to take advantage of the visitors' misfortune and Akinibiyi's header drew a fantastic save from North End 'keeper Andy Lonergan.

The Potters were hit by injury on the half hour as John Halls was forced off and replaced by Lewis Buxton.

North End, looking for only their third league victory on their travels this year, struggled to create any noteworthy efforts on goal before the interval and their impotency continued to hinder them after the restart.

The Potters had not conceded since the 1-0 loss to Sunderland one month ago and their remarkable defensive record means Stoke have now leaked just four goals in their last 11 matches.

Such a solid rearguard cannot be bettered anywhere in the Championship and if Pulis is able to recruit a striker to put pressure on the perennially profligate pair of Noel-Williams and Akinibiyi, then promotion would be a serious prospect.

But Preston were able to deal comfortably with the hosts' efforts and began to grow in confidence as the game wore on.

Etuhu almost opened the scoring for the visitors with 20 minutes remaining when his fine effort from 25 yards sailed narrowly over the bar.

Suitably inspired, the Lancashire side continued to probe and Patrick Agyemang almost found the net from the edge of the box only to see his effort similarly sail inches over.

North End almost pilfered the points in the dying stages when substitute Omar Daley hit the woodwork from the edge of the box, but the Potters held on for a point.

Teams

Stoke Simonsen, Halls (Buxton 31), Duberry, Thomas, Hill, Russell, Brammer, Clarke, Asaba (Greenacre 84), Noel-Williams (Henry 87), Akinbiyi.

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Eustace.

Booked: Hill.

Preston Lonergan, O'Neil, Mawene, Davidson (Broomes 10), Alexander, Lewis, McKenna, Oliveira (Daley 84), Davis, Cresswell, Agyemang, Broomes (Etuhu 19).

Subs Not Used: Ward, O'Neill.

Booked: Etuhu, Oliveira.

Att: 20,350

Ref: P Robinson (E Yorkshire).