A 20,000 strong crowd had to wait 17 minutes before they glimpsed any kind of a chance.
Paul McKenna's ball into the City box was flicked on by Youl Mawene but his looping header was saved by Steve Simonsen.
The Potters' slow start finally gathered speed in the 26th minute when, after Gifton Noel-Williams had struggled into the box, a one-two with Ade Akinbiyi gained him space.
However, the striker's shot failed to trouble Andy Lonergan with the keeper watching it roll wide to the right.
It was Akinbiyi's turn to try his luck four minutes later when Clint Hill's ball from the left was headed into the centre by Noel-Williams.
Akinbiyi powered his header towards goal but a flying Lonergan was on hand to block.
A frustrating second half for both sides failed to excite but Preston pushed on for an opener.
Eddie Lewis' left-sided cross in the 61st minute was headed goalwards by Filipe Oliveira but pressure from Hill denied the new signing.
With a final role of the dice substitute Omar Daley struck a shot from 15 yards but his right-footed effort struck the crossbar.