Stoke and Hull had to settle for a point each following a 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium.

Former Hull defender Leon Cort gave in-form Stoke a narrow half-time lead.

Cort glanced home his fourth goal of the season in the 33rd minute from Rory Delap's delivery.

However, Hull were back on level terms in the 61st minute, veteran Dean Windass - who later hit the crossbar - crossing for strike partner Caleb Folan to head home from six yards.

Stoke stay fourth after extending their unbeaten streak to 10 games while Hull remain on the brink of the play-offs and they are now without a defeat in five games.

Hull, who have won three and drawn one of their last four games, made the brighter start.

It took until the 21st minute for the first attempt at goal, Windass - the match-winner in Sunday's 1-0 victory over struggling Sheffield Wednesday at the KC Stadium - curling a free-kick wide from the edge of the box.

The visitors came close to opening the scoring six minutes later. Bryan Hughes produced a fantastic overhead kick but his effort was saved by Stoke goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, restored to the side in the absence of the suspended Russell Hoult.

Stoke, without leading goalscorer Ricardo Fuller due to family reasons, had struggled to create any opportunities until Cort struck.

The Potters nearly doubled their advantage five minutes later but visiting goalkeeper Boaz Myhill pulled off a stunning save to deny Jon Parkin, another ex-Tiger, from 12 yards.

Myhill had to be at his best again moments later, tipping a speculative Liam Lawrence drive over the crossbar.

On the stroke of half-time, Windass forced Simonsen into another smart save to keep the home side in front.

Parkin produced a spectacular 35-yard lob which went over the crossbar early in the second half

But Hull had a chance to equalise five minutes after the restart. Sam Ricketts whipped over a cross but Hughes just failed to divert his 12-yard header on target.

However, they were back on level terms in the 61st minute. Windass crossed for strike partner Folan to head home from six yards.

Buoyed by the goal, the Tigers went close to taking the lead four minutes later when Windass headed a Hughes cross against the crossbar from close range.

Back came Stoke and Parkin should have done better with a header he put wide 20 minutes from time

Nick Barmby, on as a substitute for Windass, fired a shot over but neither side could find a winner.

Teams

Stoke Simonsen, Wright (Zakuani 83), Shawcross, Cort, Pugh,Lawrence, Delap, Eustace, Cresswell, Sidibe (Dickinson 66),Parkin (Pericard 77).

Subs Not Used: Pulis, Phillips.

Goals: Cort 33.

Hull Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Brown, Dawson, Garcia, Ashbee,Livermore, Hughes (Elliott 82), Folan, Windass (Barmby 73).

Subs Not Used: Duke, Delaney, Marney.

Booked: Turner.

Goals: Folan 61.

Att: 15,788

Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).